20 Sep 2021

Driver who crashed car while fleeing police dies in hospital

5:26 pm on 20 September 2021

The driver of a vehicle that crashed after fleeing police in New Plymouth has died in hospital.

Police generic

File image. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Justice Grace, 21, of Waitara, died in Waikato Hospital on Sunday.

Police said at 1.30am on 9 September Grace drove off at speed after officers had signalled for the car he was in to stop.

Police activated their sirens and lights but did not pursue the vehicle because of the manner it was being driven.

A short time later the car was found crashed into a concrete wall at Northgate, about 1.5 kilometres away.

The circumstances of the crash are still being investigated and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified.