A south Auckland family is trying to cope with the grief of losing two brothers in road crashes two years apart.
Alcohol and speed were confirmed in a January 10, 2009 crash which killed Christopher Harry Jones, 17, and suspected in a crash last Friday which killed Michael Paul Jones, 18.
Both crashes were early in the morning, on the same stretch of road near Whitford on the outskirts of Auckland, and neither car had its headlights on, police said.
Christopher Jones was driving, while Michael Jones was a passenger.
Christopher was the only occupant when his car hit a power pole on the driver's side, and he took the full impact. He was wearing a seat belt, with alcohol and speed confirmed as contributing factors.
He was believed to be "well over both the youth and adult limit" said a police spokesperson.
Michael was the only passenger in a car which hit a tree. Had he been wearing a seat belt he probably would have survived, police said.
The driver was tested for alcohol and had yet to be charged. It was a matter of "watch this space", police said.
Young people may feel invincible when they got behind the wheel of a car, Constable Steve Carey from the serious crash unit said.
"But as these two tragedies demonstrate, they are not, especially when alcohol is involved. It is a truly tragic loss of young life," he said.
"Having a license brings with it some big responsibilities. We urge young New Zealand drivers to take these responsibilities seriously and to look out for their mates because often there are no second chances," Mr Carey said.
Parents Wayne and Raewyn Jones would not comment but in a death notice said "our beautiful big baby boy whose happy laughter and jokes we will sadly miss, will live on in our broken hearts forever.
"Your talents and potential were extraordinary and we give thanks for the gift of being your Mum and Dad. Thank you for all that is uniquely you," said the death notice.
He would be buried on Saturday.
