A police pursuit from Mount Maunganui to Te Puke has ended with the death of the two occupants of the pursued four-wheel drive vehicle.
Western Bay of Plenty Police Area Commander Inspector Mike Clement says the sports utility vehicle that crashed on Jellicoe Street in Te Puke initially failed to stop for police on Maunganui Road in Mount Maunganui.
The vehicle being removed from the crash scene. The tree pictured right is believed to be the tree the SUV struck.
Mike says the vehicle had been travelling in excess of 50km/h in a residential area.
'The vehicle was pursued by police towards Papamoa,” says Mike.
'During this time, the vehicle took extreme actions to evade police, including driving around a set of road spikes, which had been used in an effort to stop the vehicle.”
'After undertaking these evasive manoeuvres, the vehicle was travelling at such high speed that the pursuit was abandoned, and police staff moved into a search phase.”
He says the vehicle was then seen travelling in Domain Road, Papamoa, with the vehicle again failing to stop for police.
'Authority was given to re-initiate the pursuit towards Te Puke.
'The pursuit was then in the process of being abandoned for the second time due to concerns about speed in the Te Puke township, when police officers lost sight of the fleeing vehicle. A search of the area revealed it had left the road and hit a tree.
'The passenger in the car was dead upon police arrival at the scene. The driver died at the scene.”
Inspector Mike Clement personally attended the crash scene.
Mike says police crash investigators are at the scene and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified. A formal internal police investigation has also commenced.
He says police are in a difficult position when it comes to a fleeing offender or a driver who fails to stop.
'The immediate question for police and the public alike is why that individual feels the need to take such extreme action to avoid speaking to police.
'Those who flee from police put themselves and innocent road users at risk, with the ultimate tragic outcome in this case.
'This incident will not only have a dreadful impact on their families and friends, but also on the police officers involved and those at North Comms, other emergency services who attended the scene and those in the wider community.”
The identity of the two men now known. Read more here.
20 comments
They chose to *****
Posted on 08-10-2010 11:30 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
The***y chose to break the laws, endanger any other road users around, and put the Police in a "no-win" situation. It is fortunate that no innocent people got involved in their totally irresponsible actions. Now I presume there will be wailing and tearing of hair because it is ALL THE FAULT OF THE POLICE, who shouldn't have been chasing the little darlings! Yeah Right.
***** payed the price??????????????
Posted on 08-10-2010 12:05 | By railwayman
Those ****** who did this have paid the price and there is no way people can blame the POLICE as they were doing there job and it was the ****** who went around the road spikes so they knew what they were doing .It is the POLICE and the other services that need the help but you whatch ,the others from the 4 wheel wagon will claim on ACC at tax payers cost.Make them pay.The best place is deck cargo on a submarine and that would solve the problem !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 08-10-2010 12:10 | By pamian
Totally agree with above. Pull over when asked.
Bigger Issue
Posted on 08-10-2010 12:47 | By formulafuzz
The issue everyone fails to consider is why (mostly) young people feel the need to run from the police. Discussion with offenders and potential offenders suggests that it's because they are frightened of the punishment consequences of petty offenses (eg. breaking traction). Society today has become too intolerant. Past generations were given the opportunity to indulge in 'civil disobedience' without the fear of serious repercussion. The intolerance is causing people to make poor judgments - and die as a result. Its time to reconsider the rules and laws that have caused this tragic situation.
Stop or pay Consequences
Posted on 08-10-2010 13:22 | By Colleen Spiro
I totally disagree with formulafuzz. Kids of today, have never had to suffer consquences of their actions. There is no discipline. If you have had discussion with offenders and potential offenders, tell them that the consequences of pulling over are far better than not, as in this tragic case. Don't blame the police. The sooner they learn the better. I dont know of anyone in my generation that tried to out run the law.... My sincere condolences to the families of these people. Sadly it is they that are left to grieve.
On the Run
Posted on 08-10-2010 13:22 | By mnm
it is a tragedy that 2 families have to go through this trauma now because of their own fear that they encountered with the law, it is one's instinct to run when you see a person in uniform (law enforcement)coming. You can run but you cannot hide & it will come back to you & haunt you, in this case its a tragedy that just should not of happened. By tickled pink
Posted on 08-10-2010 14:14 | By butterscotch
I agree with Kiaora2u about disagreeing with formulafuzz! Anyone, especially if you are responsible enough to be allowed to get a licence, need to be responsible for their own actions. The law is put in place to protect people. It makes me sad and angry when I hear or see people who have potentially endangered the lives of innocent people. The poor families of these people who have now lost someone forever, would never have asked for this to happen. Their lives are changed forever. If people feel that the society's 'intolerance' needs to change, maybe they should stop being so self-righteous and start considering the rest of society and learn about respect. A tragic outcome that most certainly could have been avoided.
justice for a change
Posted on 08-10-2010 14:20 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Its good when they kill themselves and not innocent parties .Yer put formulafuzz on that submarine cargo deck,as well , they arent running cause theyre sceared, theyre running because theyre bad, and because apologists like formulafuzz, think its acceptable and would rather make excuses for them and have them murder innocent others , than say its not acceptable and hold them to account
pushing new limits
Posted on 08-10-2010 14:23 | By esquire
It's a tough one to call on because we don't know why the driver was fleeing the police. But what is clear is that when people start driving really fast, cars handle differently and your average driver is not really equipped to deal with the high speeds on urban roads. Cops are trained in driving fast - hence why it's not often the chasing police car that crashes.
Cops cant drive either
Posted on 08-10-2010 18:19 | By spreadmaster
Esquire, come on now, if the cops could drive well they would give them decent cars. The reason they dont crash so often is because they are pursuing not leading. Was the crashed SUV stolen hence not wanting to stop for police???
Don't Blame Police
Posted on 08-10-2010 21:10 | By The_Courier
What the title says, don't blame the police they are only doing their jobs it is not thier fault ***they*** are running from them all they had to do was stop the car but decided to run instead, for that death was the outcome and for this stupidity i have no sympathy for wreckless behaviour that could have killed innocent people!!
My Brother
Posted on 09-10-2010 01:49 | By bonzah
rip to my brother Harley... I think none of yous should have your comments on here yous should keep it to urselves it is a heart breaking moment for me an my family. we do not wish to cry out ITS THE PIGS FAULT., but to make sure a proper investigation is done. Some people seem to forget that there are crooked cops aswell!!!sad to see people are saying its good he is dead how could yous say such a thing. made me cry hearing that.. how about forget that politcal shit for a moment let harley and micheal rest in peace xoxoxox
bonzah
Posted on 09-10-2010 12:50 | By feebie1
Sorry for your loss. I think when people say its good they are dead, they are really meaning its lucky no innocent parties died this time at the hands of others. In this instance, as sad as it is the boys only have themselves to blame... When innocent people die from a car chase, that truly is a senseless tragedy. No one is glad your brother and mate are dead, just glad others are not dead also.
Bonzah
Posted on 09-10-2010 13:17 | By atkspiers
R.I.P, sorry about your brother and his friend,
Bonzah
Posted on 09-10-2010 14:15 | By justice
You wonder y? look at your attitude, you call the police "pigs" have you or anyone u love never had to call on the police for help? yes i understand "heart breaking" for you, The driver of the car they just about collected going around that bend - very lucky to be here today. I would like to save the tax payer (myself included) money - they ran, they paid the ultimate price, investigation complete. lets hope lessons are learnt!
Natural justice
Posted on 09-10-2010 16:17 | By DRich
They reportedly stole the car, then chose to try to outrun the cops (representing the laws of the land, and every private citizen wanting to protect their private property)-the risk didn't pay off: glad they didn't take out anyone else with their idiocy.
Our Loss Too
Posted on 09-10-2010 18:10 | By Our Loss 2
It was our car they stole. It had my husbands tools in it, things that belonged to my children and to me. Some of the tools had been given to my husband by an uncle that died 20 years ago and are irreplaceable. Our family is truly rattled by this event and feel unsafe and paranoid in our home. My daughter will no longer sleep in her caravan because of these boys. It is a tragic end in a situation that never should have happened. It's simple. If something doesn't belong to you DON'T touch it. You took the car for a joy ride and you have now paid the ultimate price. I hope it was worth it because it's certainly messed up a lot of lives and will continue to affect them for many months and years to come.
Sad
Posted on 10-10-2010 08:02 | By Persephone
These poor boys have lost their lives because society has become too intolerant, which has led to them making poor decisions. Yeah, right! And no-one is glad they are now no longer able to steal and put others lives at risk? Another Tui...
Intolerant
Posted on 10-10-2010 13:17 | By Colleen Spiro
Intolerant to what Persephone???? Intolerant to people stealing other peoples items. Intolerant to people disregarding the law when asked to pull over. Intolerant to speeding endangering other peoples lives. Well its about time we ALL became intolerant of all of these things. They made a bad decision because they practised all of the above. I am so sad that these boys took their own lives. The more intolerant we are, the quicker future kids will not make the same mistake......
WHY tolerate crime of any kind???
Posted on 10-10-2010 14:05 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
So Formulafuzz thinks that " it's because they are frightened of the punishment consequences of petty offences (eg. breaking traction). Society today has become too intolerant. " Get real, actions have consequences, they knew that BEFORE they acted, and paid a terrible price for it. But WHY should society be tolerant of anyone who CHOOSES to break the laws of society knowing that there is a penalty????
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