A motorist accused of assaulting his female passenger after drinking all afternoon later threatened to kill police.
The incident was one of several driving-related dramas Dunedin police dealt with over the weekend.
Acting Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said the 57-year-old man had been drinking all afternoon when he decided to get behind the wheel and drive to Dunedin from Karitane at 8.30pm on Saturday.
During the drive, he started abusing and punching his 26-year-old female passenger, Sgt Bond said.
He was charged with assault, refusing to provide a blood specimen, and for threatening to kill police as they arrested him.
At 9.30pm on Saturday, a car driven by a 62-year-old man ran a red light at the intersection of Cumberland and Howe Sts and crashed into another car.
There were no injuries, but significant damage to both cars.
Later that day, at 11pm, a 24-year-old man crashed his car into a parked car in Stone St. The crash caused damage to the car, a fence, a trailer, and a boat.
The driver took off, but was later located by police dogs at the Kaikorai Valley Z petrol station. He recorded a breath alcohol level of 801mg.
He had been charged with careless driving and drink driving, acting Snr Sgt Bond said.
Police also had to deal with two fire-related incidents.
Two 20-year-old men were seen lighting a couch in Castle St by Campus Watch at 3.35am on Sunday. They were spoken to by police.
At 6pm on Sunday, a large skip at the back of McDonald’s George St was set alight by a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old male. Police were not initially called to the fire, but the 17-year-old later handed himself in at the central police station. Police were following up with the 18-year-old.
