Adam Gary Bennett Herrick (18) was killed instantly when the car in which he was travelling crashed through a North Shore intersection, hit a concrete wall and flipped on to its roof early yesterday morning.
The driver, Mr Herrick's 23-year-old workmate, Ratu Victor Vikash Junior Lal, died minutes later.
Police say speed and alcohol appear to have been factors.
They are also investigating the possibility another car might have been racing Mr Lal's Mitsubishi Lancer after a truck driver reported seeing two cars heading along Pupuke Rd.
The truck driver lost sight of the cars then reached the intersection to find one of them upturned
However, Mr Herrick's 22-year old sister Samantha Anderson said her brother was not a boy racer and asked for people to consider the facts before turning the accident into a ‘‘boy racer'' issue.
‘‘I can say with 100% clarity that Adam is totally not a boy racer. He basically, I think, was in the wrong place at the wrong time.''
While she could not speak for Mr Lal, Ms Anderson said her brother was not interested in cars and did not even drive his own car.
‘‘I don't think it should be termed a boy racer thing. I think it was more boys getting caught up in the spur of the moment. He . . . wasn't in that scene - he was a computer, IT boy - cars were not his passion.''
Mr Herrick went to Westlake Boys High School before moving to Australia with his mother. They returned nearly two years ago.
‘‘We only lost our mum about seven months ago [to cancer] so it's a bit of a double tragedy.''
Ms Anderson described her brother as a ‘‘good boy'' who worked a minimum of 50 hours a week and spent most nights at home.
‘‘He has never been in trouble with the police before. He's a good, honest, genuine kid who has had a bit of a rough time.''
Both victims worked at Pro Stainless where their boss, John Hodgson, yesterday described them as highly valued and hardworking employees who would be sadly missed.
Northcote MP Dr Jonathan Coleman said the crash was an ‘‘absolute tragedy'' that should never be repeated.
‘‘The message we have to get out there is that car racing around residential streets late at night is not acceptable to the community.''
However, Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Bill Russell said it was too early to say the crash was ‘‘boy racer'' related.
He said there might be other reasons why the two cars were seen racing along the road and until that driver came forward, police could not speculate on whether they even knew each other.
