Bail denied over fatal pursuit crash

A man accused of the manslaughter of two people after a fatal crash in suburban Auckland has been denied bail.

The man, 20, was charged with manslaughter after the deaths of Jaycherree Penelope Makakea and Joseph Jack Tawhai, both 20, in Onehunga on Friday night.

Ms Makakea and Mr Tawhai were in a car which crashed shortly after police abandoned a car pursuit. Two other people were injured.

Interim name suppression of the man's name has been granted until 2.15pm today, when the issue will be considered further.

The man's lawyer Andrew Speed asked for bail saying his client was not a flight risk and would not interfere with witnesses.

But the judge denied bail, saying the community would be concerned if a man facing serious charges was bailed almost immediately.

Permission to take visual images of the accused man was denied after Mr Speed said that identity might be an issue in the case.

- NZPA