A driver who spent days on the run after being involved in a car crash that killed a tourist has been taken into police custody.

The highway collision involving two cars and two motorcycles at Yolla in northwest Tasmania on Friday morning claimed the life of a 43-year-old male biker from Malaysia.

Another man who was part of the group of international tourists suffered serious injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.

Police launched a “significant” search for the male driver of one of the cars, a blue Holden station wagon they said was stolen in early December.

“A person was taken into custody in relation to the fatal crash,” Tasmania Police said on Monday afternoon.

“No charges have been laid at this stage.”

Police earlier urged the driver, who they believe may have suffered a head injury in the crash, to turn himself in.

The man may have been picked from the scene by someone who was unaware of his involvement, Western District Commander Stuart Wilkinson said.

He said investigations into the cause of the crash continued, but it appeared speed, inattention and not driving to conditions were to blame.

Wilkinson said there was no suggestion the motorcyclists were behaving inappropriately.

“They were met with a vehicle coming at them on the wrong side of the road,” he said.

The driver of the second car involved in the crash was not injured.

The man at large was earlier described as a Caucasian, with a slim build, about 168 centimetres tall, with dark hair and unshaven.

-AAP