Fatal crash in central Auckland, driver flees scene

One person was killed in the crash on Symonds Street early this morning. Photo / Jason Oxenham

An innocent taxi driver is the victim of this morning's central Auckland collision in which a speeding motorist allegedly ran a red light, collided with the cab and fled the scene.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged with driving with excess breath alcohol, driving causing injury and failing to ascertain injury following the fatal crash in central Auckland this morning.

Speaking outside Auckland central police station Detective Inspector Scott Beard said the man would appear in Auckland District Court on Wednesday.

The person who died was a 29-year-old taxi driver.

Beard said the crash was avoidable.

Early indications were that the car had run a red light and ploughed into the innocent taxi driver.

"It is really disappointing when an innocent member of the public is driving and gets killed," he said.

The accused was in custody and would likely spend Christmas Day in the cells, he said.

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An innocent motorist has been killed after a speeding motorist ran a red light and collided with his cab in An innocent motorist has been killed and a manhunt was under way in central Auckland this morning after a speeding driver ploughed into another car.

Two people fled the scene after a black Mercedes and small silver Toyota collided on Symonds St about 4.45am.

The driver of the Toyota died at the scene, despite efforts of paramedics.

Witnesses described seeing the black Mercedes speeding shortly before the collision on Symonds St, between Karangahape Rd and Alex Evans St.

One person was killed on Symonds St in central Auckland. Photo / Supplied

The driver of the Mercedes and another person ran from the scene and were the subject of a police manhunt, with the Eagle helicopter and a police dog unit involved.

The pair were located shortly afterwards.

"The driver of the Toyota would not have had a chance," said one person at the scene.

"The driver's side of the vehicle was completely destroyed."

The two-car collision occurred near the motorway off-ramp. Photo / Jason Oxenham

One witness said the Mercedes had sped past him on Symonds St, and he initially thought the driver had mounted a median strip further up the road. It wasn't until he moved closer to the scene that he saw another vehicle involved.

He and other witnesses questioned whether alcohol was a factor in the crash - the first fatality of the Christmas holiday season, which started at 4pm last night.

Residents in apartments above the scene were awoken by the collision.

The driver of the Toyota died at the scene. Photo / Jason Oxenham

A portion of Symonds St, between Karangahape Rd and Newton Rd, remains blocked off by police while crash analysts investigate.

Motorists travelling into the central city via Symonds St were requested to take alternative routes.

Police were speaking to witnesses and the two people who fled the scene after the crash.

The Prius is believed to be a taxi. A spokesperson for the company said they hadn't been contacted by police and wasn't able to confirm if their driver had been involved until they had official information.