The brother of a driver killed in yesterday's triple fatal crash near Nelson has taken to Facebook to mourn his loss.
"I'm sorry I didn't ring you," he wrote.
Johnathan Tairakena, 25, was driving the car that fled from police, and 33-year-old Phillip Jamie Stretch was also in the car.
They crashed while fleeing police on State Highway 6 at Hope on Sunday night, leaving both dead, as well as another innocent motorist, 53-year-old mother Carmen Marie Yanko.
His brother, Regan Taha, has paid an emotional tribute in a comment on Facebook.
"Why....brother why tho.....brother my baby brother.....I just I'm in so much shock,"
Superintendent Mike Johnson says this outcome is the last thing police would ever want. (Source: Other)
"Idk idk wtf wtf I miss you sooo much wtf," the comment read.
It's believed Johnathan Taha Tairakena leaves behind a wife and a baby.
"You was meant to meety kids brother you was."
- By Wilson Longhurst and 1 NEWS staff
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