Three people are injured -- two critically -- after a stolen car reportedly sped through roadworks before crashing into a ditch in Auckland

Emergency services were called to the closed section of State Highway 16 between Kumeu and Huapai about 1 am.

Police say the driver had earlier failed to stop and fled from Police near the Waterview Tunnel after midnight, and wasn't pursued.

Police are investigating, and the Independent Police Conduct Authority is being notified.