Adelaide man who did burnout in front of police dies minutes later

An Adelaide man who brazenly did a burnout in front of police, before speeding away from them, tragically died moments later after smashing into a tree.

A young South Australian driver, who dangerously performed a burnout to escape chasing police officers, died moments later after he sped off and crashed into a tree.

Dale Wilson’s Holden Commodore burst into flames yesterday afternoon after he smashed into a tree on Williss Drive in Normanville on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Police were trying to pull the 24-year-old man over after realising his car was unregistered.

But when officers activated their lights and sirens, police allege Mr Wilson didn’t stop and instead engaged a chase with the officers.

The aftermath of the horrific crash. Picture: Morgan Settle/AAP

He was chased to a nearby road where he performed a burnout and sped away.

“Police pursued the car to Hay Flat Road where the driver did a burnout in front of the patrol and sped off,” police said in a statement.

“The patrol did not continue to pursue the car due to the manner of driving and it was last seen heading toward Main South Road.”

Members of the public who witnessed the chase saw Mr Wilson speed back towards Williss Drive and police stopped the chase.

Despite police stopping their pursuit, the 24-year-old allegedly continued to speed away, crashing into a tree on Williss Drive where his car burst into flames.

The fatal crash at Normanville. Picture: Nine

Police tried to save the driver but he died at the scene.

An internal investigation into the crash is being conducted, and welfare is being provided to the police who were involved in the chase.

Speaking to The Advertiserearlier today, Mr Wilson’s brother Matt Wilson described the burnout as a “stupid decision” and explained the 24-year-old was probably “scared to go to jail”.

“I know my brother that well that he would’ve been scared and he ran,” Mr Wilson said.

“If he had’ve just pulled over it would’ve saved his life. (I’m) shattered, lost. I don’t know how to tell my kids.”

The man’s death took the number of lives lost on South Australian roads this year to 70.

At the end of July in 2018, the road toll was 42.