A 21-year-old Dunedin man has been charged with dangerous driving and more charges may follow after he led Dunedin police on a pursuit reaching speeds of more than 100kmh through the central business district yesterday.
Acting Senior Sergeant Simon Mapp said police pursued a Mazda Eunos when it was spotted travelling west along St Andrew St "at a dangerous speed" about 3.30am.
The vehicle continued to travel up York Pl, sometimes on the wrong side of the street and at no less than 100kmh.
There was a near miss with a taxi before police lost sight of the fleeing vehicle, he said.
"By chance, the police unit drove into Rattray St where the vehicle was located crashed into a power pole on the corner of Manse and High St.
"Three passengers were still in the vehicle but the driver fled the scene. He was later found at his mother's place."
Snr Sgt Mapp said none of the passengers was injured, but two pedestrians received minor injuries when the vehicle hit the pole.
As a result, more charges may be laid on the driver.
"It was ridiculous. Travelling at those speeds in the city centre endangers so many people.
"I'm surprised someone wasn't more seriously injured."
The 21-year-old is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court this week.
Five elderly people were taken to Dunedin Hospital on Saturday after the van they were travelling in and a car collided near Mosgiel.
A spokeswoman from St John said four people received minor injuries, while one was moderately injured in the 10.15am crash at the intersection of Dukes Rd South and the Outram-Mosgiel Rd.
The driver was among those injured.
Most of the others were in their 80s.
Senior firefighter Ray Wilson, of Mosgiel, said he understood the group of nine residents and a driver from Mosgiel's Brooklands Village Rest Home were on their way to take a walk somewhere in North Taieri when the crash happened.
Firefighters gave the uninjured people and residents a ride back to the rest-home in the fire engine, Mr Wilson said.
The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured. Staff at Brooklands Village declined to comment on the incident yesterday.
Green Island Police Senior Constable Fred Jansen said police were still investigating the collision and charges might follow.
