Driver ‘ran three red lights’
A fleeing driver allegedly ran at least three red lights during a police pursuit in Christchurch before a fatal collision with an innocent motorist, The Press understands.
Kenneth McCaul, 64, was killed last Tuesday when his car was T-boned by a driver who allegedly ran a red light while fleeing police at the intersection of Idris and Glandovey roads, Fendalton.
Police earlier said the pursuit began when the driver of a black Toyota Caldina failed to stop for police on Papanui Rd, about 4am.
The car, which had five teenagers inside, was signalled to stop due to the ‘‘erratic’’ way it was being driven, Canterbury police metro area commander
Superintendent Lane Todd previously said.
Police chased the car for about four minutes through residential streets when the crash occurred.
The Press understands the driver of the fleeing car allegedly drove through at least three red lights during the pursuit before crashing into McCaul’s car.
A police spokeswoman declined to comment on the information when contacted by The Press.
‘‘As the matter is before the court we are unable to comment.
‘‘The Independent Police Conduct Authority is also investigating.’’
Todd earlier told media the chase did not reach ‘‘horrendous speeds’’, but was ‘‘obviously over the speed limit’’.
He said it was too early to say whether or not the officers involved in the fatal pursuit were told to abandon it before the crash, but that would be investigated.
The officers involved were receiving support.
‘‘Our focus as police is on preventing harm.
‘‘This is a devastating outcome.
‘‘The last thing any police officer wants to happen when
they come to work.’’
A 17-year-old farm worker appeared in the Christchurch Youth Court yesterday charged with manslaughter in relation to the crash and reckless driving causing injury.
Judge Jane McMeeken remanded the teen on bail to appear in the High Court on November 8.
He entered no pleas on both charges.
The teen, who is living and working on a rural Canterbury property, is not allowed to contact a list of named people, including contact over social media. He is also not allowed to consume alcohol or illegal drugs, nor go into licensed premises, and has to go to report to the police as directed.
McCaul was the fifth person to die relating to police pursuits in
Christchurch this year.
The crash comes seven months after police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a review of police pursuits called Fleeing Drivers in New Zealand.
It made eight recommendations to improve how police respond to fleeing drivers, and favoured a risk-averse approach to pursuits.
‘‘In general, the review found that there was a lack of understanding among staff about the risk officers create by initiating a pursuit and contributing to a fleeing vehicle,’’ the report said.
Procedures state safety must take precedence over catching the fleeing driver, and the officers must use the risk assessment, TENR – Threat, Exposure, Necessity, Response, at all stages of a pursuit.