Police say a woman who died in a crash following a police pursuit in Whanganui on Saturday night had been stopped earlier in the evening and was forbidden from driving for 12 hours.
The woman, 21, believed to be from Whanganui, died instantly when she lost control of the car she was driving during a police pursuit and hit a tree. She had a learner's licence.
Police say she was breathtested earlier in the evening at 5pm and her keys were seized when she was found to have excess breath alcohol.
But she obtained another set of keys and was driving with six people in the car when police tried to get her to pull over at 11.40pm, suspecting she was intoxicated. The woman refused to stop.
Inspector Steve Mastrovich said people must always stop for police.
He said it appears all relevant procedures were properly followed and he backed the decision to pursue the vehicle.
Three passengers, aged from 17 to their mid-20s, remain in hospital with moderate injuries. Three others have been discharged.
Whanganui mayor Annette Main says it is disappointing that people are not getting the message that they must stop for police when they are asked to pull over.
She says local authorities have been trying to educate people not to get into a car with a driver who has been drinking, but it is difficult to reach everyone.
Police want to hear from anyone who saw the crash or might know anything about the group.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been advised.
