Mr Dougherty said the bar staff at the clubrooms had told him Mr Ihaka had "a disagreement over a domestic arrangement" with his partner and drove away erratically. The staff said Mr Ihaka was angry, got in his car, fishtailed out of the entrance, blew out two tyres and left.
People living in the area witnessed the one-car crash and a volunteer firefighter made the 111 call.
Police, fire and ambulance crew attended the scene but Mr Ihaka, the only occupant in the car, had been thrown from the car and could not be saved.
"First aid was administered to the man. However he was pronounced dead at the scene," said Senior Sergeant Kris Burbery, acting Central District road policing manager.
He said initial indications suggested alcohol and speed caused the "tragic and totally preventable crash".
Mr Dougherty said bar staff had said Mr Ihaka did not seem intoxicated and wasn't served any alcohol until two hours before he left in his car.
He said the Herbert St and Alfredton Rd corner could be dangerous especially if someone was driving in the state that Mr Ihaka was in.
The Serious Crash Unit have launched an investigation into the crash and have conducted a scene examination.
Mr Ihaka leaves three children including two sons who play for the club. He was the fifth person to die on the roads during the Queen's Birthday road toll period.
