Police said the crash occurred after the vehicle's occupants attempted to provoke officers and threw objects that damaged a patrol car at Katherine in the Northern Territory.
Around 6am on Tuesday the vehicle rolled on the Stuart Highway just north of the Katherine CBD, critically injuring a 16-year-old male who died at the scene, despite the efforts of paramedics to save him.
Three injured 14-year-old youths were taken to hospital.Â
NT police said a vehicle was stolen from a Katherine property late on Monday then abandoned at Charles Darwin University before two other cars were stolen.
Throughout the evening the vehicles were observed driving erratically through the Katherine CBD, police said.
"The occupants allegedly attempted to provoke police by baiting patrol vehicles and throwing objects at officers, resulting in damage to a police vehicle," police said.
"Due to the dangerous manner of driving, officers did not engage in a pursuit of the vehicle."
Parts of the Stuart Highway remained closed on Tuesday morning as major crash and criminal investigations continued.
Acting Commander Mark Grieve said the incident was tragic and complex.
"We are investigating a significant series of offences, as well as the death of a 16-year-old male following extremely dangerous driving behaviour that placed the lives of the community at risk," he said.
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