Family and friends of a Hamilton man are mourning his loss after he died while fleeing police.
Police are yet to confirm his identity, but friends and family on social media have named the 18-year-old as father-of-two Conrad Tuhua.
Police said Tuhua failed to stop for them and they chased him briefly on the city's River Rd about 3am yesterday.
However, less than a minute later, Tuhua lost control rounding a bend and crashed into a tree just north of Oakley Ave.
One relative of Tuhua posted: "Our deepest condolences going to the Tuhua whanau for the lost of your son, your brother, your nephew, your cousin, your partner and a father, so young and your life was taken to early FTP Rest Easy #ConradTuhua much love to Aunty Robin and uncle Johnny and the rest of the whanau".