The 17 year-old Hokitika man was killed when the car he was driving crashed on the Kaniere-Kowhitirangi Road, near Hokitika, about 1am today.
West Coast Police Senior Sergeant Tim Crawford said the car veered off the left hand side of the road and struck a power pole, knocking the pole down. The accident cut power to neighbouring properties and the valley.
A 17 year-old male passenger in the vehicle is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the accident.
Senior Sergeant Crawford said road conditions at the time were wet, but not icy.
Serious Crash Investigators are conducting a scene examination and the matter will be referred to the coroner.
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