Family used as 220kmh excuse

Bruce Dow.
Bruce Dow.
A man caught driving at an alleged 220kmh, while more than twice the legal drink-drive limit, told police his wife and children had left him.

The 28-year-old Kaiapoi man was arrested at 6pm on Saturday and charged with reckless driving, failing to stop for police and drink-driving after he allegedly failed to stop for police inland from Oamaru and then sped off, reaching speeds of 220kmh, police said.

Road spikes were deployed at the intersection of State Highway 83 and Horse Gully Rd, near Papakaio, and stopped the man's Holden Commodore.

When breath-tested, he returned a reading of 1011mcg, more than twice the legal limit of 400mcg, police said.

When spoken to, the man claimed his wife and children had left him.

Acting Sergeant Bruce Dow, of Oamaru, said the situation had been ''potentially'' dangerous.