Waitakere Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in the West Auckland suburb of Titirangi early this morning.
Police say that at 3.21am Friday 20 March 2009 a police unit was patrolling in Titirangi. The unit was canvassing the area as a result of reports that a burglary had earlier been in progress at a residential address in Laingholm.
On arrival at the Titirangi shops the patrol noticed three vehicles all in a group.
On sighting the police the three cars quickly dispersed at speed in different directions. The patrol unit chose to intercept and stop one of the vehicles, a grey Subaru Forrester, Station Wagon in which there were four occupants.
The unit activated their red and blue lights and sirens and called in a pursuit but the driver of the Subaru still failed to stop.
The pursuit had been in progress for about 47 seconds and had traveled a distance of just over a kilometre when the Subaru lost control and crashed at the intersection of Golf Road and Titirangi Road. The Subaru appears to have collided with a lamp post and then hit a tree. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of this incident.
One of the occupants, a male passenger, has died at the scene. Two other male passengers are critically ill in Auckland hospital. The male driver of the Subaru has minor injuries. Emergency services attended. All the injured were taken to hospital by ambulance. The Subaru is a reported stolen vehicle. The driver is being questioned by Waitakere CIB.
An internal police investigation is in progress. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been advised of this incident. The name of the deceased has not yet been released. Police are urging witnesses or anyone with information to call the Serious Crash Unit on 09 481 0300.
ENDS:
Kevin Loughlin
Communications Manager
Waitemata Police District Headquarters | Takapuna North Shore City
Phone: +64 9 488 9758 | Mobile: 027 281 0271 | kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz