Several inner city streets have been cordoned off after a driver failed to stop for police before crashing their car at the intersection of Stanmore Road and Gloucester Street.

A police spokeswoman told Chris Lynch at about 3.30am, a vehicle of interest was sighted by police on Bealey Avenue.

A unit signalled for the vehicle to stop on Stanmore Road, however the driver fled.

“A pursuit was not initiated” the police spokeswoman said.

“The vehicle crashed a short time later, striking another vehicle and power poles.”

An eyewitness said he drove past the scene moments after the crash.

“A police officer was doing CPR on someone on the ground near a totalled white car.”

One person from the fleeing vehicle received critical injuries and was taken to hospital.

The occupant of the other vehicle was uninjured.

Debris is scattered across the intersection and on the footpath in front of the Stanmore Road shops.

A guest staying at a nearby backpackers told Chris Lynch they heard “an almighty bang.”

“We rushed outside to see the intersection full of police cars. We were surprised at how fast they arrived at the scene.”

At 8AM a police photographer and investigators were still at the crash site.

The police spokeswoman said the Serious Crash Unit is examining the scene this morning, and an investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.

Stanmore Road from Avonside Drive to Tuam Street has been completely blocked off.

Gloucester Street from Fitzgerald Avenue has been blocked off.