Auckland police have identified the driver who died in a fatal pursuit overnight, but still don't know who the rear passenger is.
She's in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital, and is described as "Māori or Polynesian, and has a number of distinctive tattoos including one on her right knee, a musical note on her left inside ankle and a large tattoo on her inside left forearm."
Inspector Dave Glossop says police saw the car driving dangerously on Great South Rd, Manukau, before it crashed into an SUV seconds later.
The five people in the SUV have moderate injuries, ejected out of the back window as they weren't wearing seatbelts.
Police say the male driver of the fleeing vehicle died in the crash, and the two female passengers were seriously injured.
The crash occurred when the driver failed to stop at a red light and hit a car driven by a member of the public.
"There were five people in the vehicle that was crashed into and they all suffered moderate injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment and support has been offered to them", says Insp Glossop.
The car was seen travelling at speed on Great South Rd in Manukau just before 10:30pm. Police attempted to pull the driver over, but the driver did not stop and a short chase began.
Shortly after the pursuit began, the driver crashed into another vehicle while speeding through the intersection of Cavendish Dr and Te Irirangi Dr.
The clipped vehicle ricocheted into a traffic light.
The serious crash unit is investigating and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified
The intersection was closed overnight, but has now reopened.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the injured woman or anyone who witnessed the incident should contact Manukau police on (09) 261 1300.
Newshub.
