The driver of a car involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle on State Highway 30 yesterday afternoon was a 13-year-old in a stolen car.
Two 16-year-olds were also in the car, which had been stolen from Tokoroa a couple of days earlier and was later seen in Kawerau.
Kawerau Senior Sergeant Al Fenwick said a member of the Kawerau community called police after becoming concerned about how the car was being driven.
"We learned at that time the car had been reported stolen," Mr Fenwick said. "Our officer caught up with the car on State Highway 30 shortly before Rotoiti and activated his lights."
He said the driver of the car did not stop and attempted to overtake a logging truck on a blind corner.