Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks said police had seen the car near Tīrau and recognised it as a vehicle of interest after an aggravated robbery in Tauranga on Monday.
“The manner of driving has been erratic and posed a significant risk to other road users.”
Police spiked the vehicle on Oturoa Rd, near SH36, and again on Hamurana Rd about 5.30pm.
Gillbanks said police found the Lexus had crashed into a truck and caught fire on SH36.
He said the driver died and the two young passengers were trapped and seriously hurt.
“Members of the public and officers put themselves at significant risk to put the flames out and protect the car’s occupants from the fire.
“People ran to the scene with extinguishers, and about 18 were used to put the fire out.”
He said their courageous actions saved the trapped passengers’ lives.
Gillbanks said the truck driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by ambulance staff.
Several officers were also treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.
The police statement today asked for anyone with CCTV footage or dashcam video of a silver Lexus sedan with the registration DZS7 between 4pm and 5.30pm Tuesday to come forward.
Anyone with information was asked to make a report online at 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105 and using the reference number 260113/9655.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.
