Driver ‘tried to run over’ police officer
An alleged dangerous driver involved in a pursuit with Taranaki police tried to run over an officer while attempting to evade capture.
Police used road spikes in an attempt to stop the fleeing vehicle, which had been travelling at speed and crossing the centre line, but the driver continued his bid for freedom on the rims of his blown tyres, leaving a trail of sparks and smoke in his wake.
A man is due to appear in the New Plymouth District court today facing multiple charges in relation to Saturday’s chase, in which a police car was also damaged.
The alleged offender had been spotted driving a red van by police on Wiremu Rd, near Opunake, about 5.45pm acting Sergeant Gerhard Jacobs, of the Highway Patrol, said.
‘‘This vehicle had already been involved in a pursuit with police the day before, which was abandoned because of the dangerous manner of driving,’’ Jacobs said.
Police again attempted to stop the vehicle but had to pull out of the chase a short time later because of the driver’s behaviour, he said.
‘‘He was crossing the centre line and travelling in excess of 100 kilometres an hour.’’
Jacobs said police set up cordons around the area and the van was spotted about 15 minutes later heading towards Oakura along SH45, near Tataraimaka, where road spikes were deployed in an attempt to bring the chase to an end.
While the spikes blew out three of the van’s tyres the driver failed to stop and the pursuit continued through Oakura.
‘‘There were sparks flying and smoke coming off the remains of the tyres.’’
Police then attempted to use spikes for a second time to disable the van but the driver’s behaviour allegedly took a sinister turn.
‘‘He’s intentionally driven at a police officer and tried to run him over.’’
Jacobs said the officer had to dive for cover.
‘‘The driver’s behaviour has started to escalate and he has then started driving over the centre line around blind corners and intentionally swerving into the path of oncoming vehicles and there were multiple near-misses.’’
He said police had a patrol car ahead of the fleeing driver warning oncoming motorists of the danger.
‘‘Just after that the vehicle has lost control and basically crashed, spinning out.’’
The driver and a passenger attempted to flee on foot but were chased down and arrested.
Jacobs said the passenger was later released without charge but the alleged driver, who had active warrants for his arrest and had been on the run for several months, would be appearing in court on Tuesday to face numerous charges including reckless driving, aggravated assault with a weapon and failing to stop.
The man was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine and suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, so further charges were possible, he said.
Jacobs described the driver’s behaviour in Saturday’s chase as ‘‘really risky’’.
‘‘They had a complete disregard for themselves and the safety of others. They are putting people’s lives at risk.’’
It was the second time in two days police had used road spikes to stop a driver involved in a chase after a mother and daughter were pulled from their car in New Plymouth on Friday night during a car-jacking.
Two men aged 17 and 18 and two females aged 15 and 20, were arrested.
The driver was charged with drink driving and reckless driving, while all four were charged with aggravated robbery.
The chases come at a time when police are facing renewed criticism of their pursuit policy after three people were killed when a car being chased near Nelson on Saturday morning slammed headon into another vehicle.
Police assistant commissioner for road policing Sandra Venables said fleeing drivers needed to take more responsibility.
"We have to strike a balance between the responsibility to protect life and the duty to enforce the law, but it’s really up to the driver in these pursuits."