Police pursuit ends with dead driver of stolen car

Counties Manukau Police are investigating the circumstances of a fatal traffic crash in East Tamaki at 3.00pm on Thursday 06 March.

Police responded to the report of a robbery at the Pakuranga Plaza and located a suspect vehicle a short distance away.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle attempted to evade police by traveling at speed along Harris Road.

 It was later established that vehicle was stolen 

The vehicle reached excessive speeds and drove on the wrong side of the road putting members of the public in jeopardy.

The vehicle eventually lost control and crashed on Harris Road.

The driver was in a serious condition and had to be cut from the vehicle. He later died at Middlemore Hospital. 

Inspector David Simpson of the Counties Manukau Police said that although the incident would be classified as a pursuit the vehicle was not being pursued at the time of the crash.

'There will be two investigations, one will examine the actions of the driver and the second investigation would consider the actions of the Police'.

'The Independent Police Conduct Authority will be informed' said Inspector Simpson.Although the entire circumstances are yet to be fully investigated Inspector Simpson added that, 'the actions of one Constable were very decisive in maintaining public safety when he stopped traffic on Harris Road on realising that the suspect vehicle was coming towards them on the wrong side of the road. The Constable was ready to deploy road spikes but the vehicle crashed before it reached him'. 

Any members of the public who saw a black 1994 Mazda Lantis near the Westpac bank at the Pakuranga Plaza and later on Ti Rakau Drive or Harris Road at about 3.00pm on Thursday 6 march are asked to contact the Manukau Police Station on telephone 2611300.