Mayhem on and off the roads around Far North

A 44-year-old man faces a raft of charges following a family violence incident in which he allegedly drove into a house and ran his partner’s car off the road.

The incident occurred at Waima, in the South Hokianga, at about 10am on Saturday, the man allegedly ramming a house with his vehicle, then pursuing the victim as she fled in another car and running her off the road. He man suffered a head injury in the resulting crash.

He was charged with dangerous driving, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and threatening to kill, with more changes pending.

Meanwhile a 28-year-old woman from the Kerikeri area has been remanded in custody after a prolonged road rage incident last week, reportedly arising from a dispute over money. Police say the alleged offender chased another woman’s vehicle along Purerua Rd, Kapiro Rd, Landing Rd, Waipapa Rd and the Heritage Bypass.

A police appeal for information led to a witness coming forward, the woman subsequently being charged with reckless driving. She was refused bail when she appeared in the Kaikohe District Court last week, and is due to appear again by audio-visual link on March 20, when she is expected to enter a plea and reapply for bail.

Emergency services were also kept busy with a series of weekend crashes around the Mid North.

About 2.35pm on Saturday a US tourist who had arrived in New Zealand earlier that day was involved in a head-on crash on State Highway 1 between Pakaraka and Ohaeawai (Two cars, two injured, March 6).

Sergeant Ross Laurie said the American, who had been on the wrong side of the road, had been charged with aggravated careless driving.

A male passenger in the other car suffered broken bones. Fatigue was thought to be a factor in the crash.

At about 4.45pm on Sunday a tradesman’s van failed to take a corner on Whangaroa Rd, about 1km east of the Kaeo Rugby Club, and struck a power pole. Kaeo Chief Fire Officer Lindsay Murray said the driver and his dog were shaken, but, to his amazement, uninjured.

Firefighters had to close the road for more than two hours until a Top Energy crew arrived to remove the downed lines and replace the pole. One line was hanging over the road low enough to snag passing trucks. The 61-year-old Auckland plumber has been charged with careless driving.