(File photo) Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A teenager involved in a crash that killed an 18-year-old this morning has been charged with dangerous driving causing death.
Police said a vehicle was found crashed into a house in Rangiora after earlier failing to stop for police.
An 18-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car died at the scene.
In a statement, Canterbury Rural Area Commander Inspector Peter Cooper said police were called to a report of illegal street racing in the Fernside area of Waimakariri about 4.45am on Sunday.
Cooper said police followed an "offending" vehicle for a time but stopped because of the way the vehicle was being driven in the urban area.
The same vehicle was then found crashed into the side of a house of McIvor Place in Rangiora after appearing to have hit a tree.
There were four people in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Two were uninjured and had spoken with police.
The driver was arrested at the scene.
"Police are liaising with the family of the deceased," Cooper said.
No one in the house was hurt.
Police said the driver was charged with dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop, and other driving related charges.
He was scheduled to appear on Tuesday in the Christchurch District Court.
A number of investigations were now underway as well as inquiries by the Serious Crash Unit.
The incident had also been reported to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.