Man admits killing friends in pursuit crash

Jaycherree Penelope Makakea died in the crash. Photo / Supplied

A man has admitted killing his two friends when he sped away from police and crashed into two power poles.

Aaron Tony Tulafono, 21, pleaded guilty to two manslaughter charges and other driving offences in the District Court in Auckland today.

Jaycherree Penelope Makakea and Joseph Jack Tawhai were killed in September. Two other passengers were injured in the crash.

The court was told that Tulafono was approached by police after complaints that a laser had been shone at cars on the motorway in Onehunga.

Tulafono took off at speeds of up to 130km an hour.

Police abandoned the pursuit before Tulafono failed to negotiate a round-about and crashed into two power poles. Mr Tawhai and Ms Makakea were killed in the crash.

Tulafono will be sentenced next month at the High Court in Auckland.