Fleeing teen made 'fatal decision'

Emergency services attend the crash at the Market Rd motorway off-ramp in Auckland this morning. Photo / NZPA

The death of a 15-year-old driver who fled from police this morning was "completely avoidable", police say.

Timoti Mohi, 15, was driving a stolen car when he failed to stop for police on Karangahape Rd in central Auckland at about 12.50am this morning, before speeding off on to the Southern Motorway at speeds of up to 180km/h.

Police abandoned the chase after seeing the speeds the car, along with another stolen car driven by accomplices of Mohi, was travelling at.

The fleeing vehicle driven by the deceased teen was later found further up the motorway near the Market Rd off-ramp, where it had hit a power pole. Timoti Mohi died at the scene shortly after 1am.

His passenger, another teen, is in Auckland Hospital with leg injuries.

Police say the pair had with them some simple equipment - rubber gloves and a pair of pliers - which are commonly used by thieves.

They were seen acting suspiciously near cars in Sussex St, Grey Lynn, by police. When a nearby police dog unit was dispatched, two vehicles - both stolen - fled the area. Timoti Mohi was driving one of them. The other driver and his friends are, at this stage, still at large, say police.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty told NZPA one stolen car has been found abandoned in Onehunga. Police suspect a third vehicle was stolen to escape the scene there.

"We are aware of another two vehicles which were stolen from Onehunga between 11pm and 2am today.

"One was stolen and subsequently dumped in Onehunga and the other vehicle is still outstanding,'' Ms Hegarty added.

Police were not sure if the stolen vehicles in Onehunga were connected to the incident on the motorway.

"This tragedy was completely avoidable," acting district commander Chief Inspector John Palmer said of Timoti Mohi's death.

"Anyone who is requested by police to stop their vehicle should do so and face the consequences of their behaviour. Making the decision to flee at speed has had fatal consequences for too many people and their grieving families."

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified of the incident.

The Auckland City District's Serious Crash Unit and the Professional Standards Unit are also investigating.

- NZ Herald staff, NZPA