2 Aug 2018

Police chase ending in death justified - IPCA

11:26 am on 2 August 2018

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found a police pursuit in Otara that ended with the fleeing car crashing into a tree, killing a teenager, was justified.

Police generic

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

15-year-old Morocco Tai died and two 16-year-old passengers were seriously injured in the crash.

In October last year, an off-duty officer spotted a stolen vehicle and notified the police.

Morocco Tai pulled over and spoke to the off-duty officer before driving off.

Marked police cars then arrived and started the pursuit.

The Authority said Mr Tai drove at almost double the speed limit - which lead the police to abandon the pursuit.

Shortly after, the police found Mr Tai's car crashed into a tree.

The IPCA said the officers involved in the pursuit complied with the law and police policy.

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