The police say a motorcyclist who died during a pursuit in Palmerston North on Saturday was travelling at extreme speed.
Martyn Dillon, 22, of Paraparaumu, died when the stolen bike he was driving crashed into a fence on John F Kennedy Drive at about 11.15pm.
His female pillion passenger, who was not wearing a helmet, is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
The Palmerston North police area commander, Inspector Pat Handcock, says officers tried to pull the motorcyclist over as he pulled away from traffic lights. He says they briefly gave chase before abandoning it because of excessive speed.
Inspector Handcock says the motorcyclist had also been seen speeding earlier in the evening. They're not sure at this stage whether alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
