Sixteen-year-old girl fighting for life after slamming ute into pole

A teenager is fighting for her life after the ute she was driving ran a red light and slammed into a pole in Melbourne's outer-west, police say.

The girl, 16, is believed to have been driving the white Holden ute north on Station Road, Deer Park about 1:50am on Saturday, when she drove through a red light at Billingham Road and narrowly missed a white sedan.

She then struck a power pole after losing control of the car and was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition. She was the only person in the car.

Ambulance Victoria said the teenager had injuries to her upper and lower body.

It is now known how the teenager came to be driving the ute.

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen the vehicle earlier to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make a report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.