Thursday, 1 April 2010 - 8:01am |
National News

Serious injury crash results from driver fleeing Police

2 min read

News article photos, audio and videos (2 items)

Waikato Police are warning motorists to consider the consequences of their actions after the second crash in the region following a Police pursuit in five days.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said last night's incident took place at the intersection of SH27 and Swamp Rd, otherwise known as the Tahuna-Paeroa Rd, about 5.40pm.

"A Highway Patrol officer has pulled over a northbound black Mazda car on SH27 and walked up to the right side front window to speak to the female driver.

"As the officer placed his hands on the sill to speak to the woman he believed he smelt alcohol but before he could react the woman has accelerated off down the highway."

Mr Tooman said about 40 seconds into the resulting pursuit the woman's car sped into an area of road-works at the intersection of the highway and Swamp Rd where a large roundabout is under construction.

"The area was signposted with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h, as the woman has entered the construction area she has lost control and her car collided with a rear wheel of a truck and trailer unit travelling in the same direction.

"The 19-year-old Auckland driver and her female passenger suffered moderate injuries in the crash and were taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance."

The driver suffered a serious cut to her forehead that required over 20 stitches, released from hospital overnight she was taken to the Hamilton Central Police Station and charged for driving while disqualified.

Her passenger was not so fortunate and is currently still in hospital suffering from a broken hip.

Police are awaiting the results from blood tests and other analysis before determining what other charges the woman will face meanwhile Mr Tooman is urging drivers to consider the consequences of poor decision making.

"Those consequences can be huge, you've got to ask yourself should you be getting behind the wheel when disqualified and am I in a safe condition to drive?

"As shown last night the repercussions can be huge."

Meanwhile requests through the media for witnesses to Saturday's fatal crash on Gordonton Rd to come forward have been successful with several members of the public contacting investigators enabling them to build on their knowledge base of what occurred.

End

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