Man due in court over fatal crash

The scene of the fatal crash. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A 20-year-old man will appear in court today on manslaughter charges following the death of two people in a high-speed crash in Auckland on Friday night.

The man was charged after the deaths of Jaycherree Penelope Makakea and Joseph Jack Tawhai, both 20, in a crash in suburban Onehunga about 9pm following a short police chase.

Ms Makakea and Mr Tawhai both died at the scene after the car they were travelling in crashed into a power pole near a roundabout on Church St, shortly after police abandoned a chase.

Two other occupants of the car were taken to hospital with moderate injuries. The driver subsequently handed himself in to police and was charged on Saturday with two counts of manslaughter.

He is due to appear in Auckland District Court today.

Ms Makakea and Mr Tawhai were among three people who died on the roads at the weekend.

The other person to die was a motorcyclist who collided with a car at Te Puna, west of Tauranga, about 7pm on Snodgrass Rd, near State Highway 2.

The victim's name was unavailable today.

- NZPA