A teenage girl who died in a crash in Rangiora early this morning is being remembered as a “beautiful soul.”

18-year-old Zara Mitchell tragically died when the car she was in crashed into the side of a house after it hit a tree on McIvor Place just before 5AM.

She was a passenger in the car. There were four people in the car at the time of the crash.

It happened after police were called to reports of illegal street racing activity in the Fernside area police said.

They had followed an offending vehicle for a short time but then stopped due to the manner of driving and the urban environment.

A close friend of Zara told Chris Lynch Media “she was such a beautiful soul and was just starting to get her life back on track.

“She had a heart of gold, and a laughter that could make you wet yourself over and over.

“She got dealt her share of cards, but the way she dealt with it was what I loved the most!”

“People just need to keep their words and opinions to themselves until we all know the true story. My kids adored her and appreciated every precious time spent with Zara. She was a great friend of mine.

The friend said two weeks ago Zara was talking about going back to Hagley College to start her studies again.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested and was being questioned by police.

It’s understood the car had previously been pink stickered and wasn’t road worthy.

Two other people were uninjured and were speaking to police.

Several investigations will now take place.

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said “”I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the young woman who tragically died this morning.

“I also want to acknowledge the family whose house was crashed into as that too must have been traumatic.

“Waimakariri is a tight-knit district and this loss, and crashes of this nature, will have a profound effect on everyone involved.

“I want to thank the dedicated emergency services personnel who attended the scene. I know this would have been particularly difficult.

These events are a sad reminder of the need to take care on our roads. Council will assist police with their investigations in any way we can” Gordon said.