Driver leaves a trail of destruction

A Dunedin police officer marks the final resting place of a car involved in several accidents in...
A Dunedin police officer marks the final resting place of a car involved in several accidents in Mornington yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
An alleged drunk driver has been apprehended by members of the public after being followed for several kilometres through the Dunedin suburb of Mornington, where she left a trail of destruction.

Police were called to Mornington Rd about 4.30pm, when a dark-coloured Mercedes-Benz, driven by a 33-year-old, crashed into two vehicles.

About 10 minutes later, the car struck another vehicle in Maori Rd.

The Mercedes continued for about another kilometre, before it stopped and the driver fled on foot.

Members of the public gave chase and held her until police arrived.

The driver was arrested and processed for driving with excess breath-alcohol.

No-one was injured in the incidents.

A female witness, who declined to be named, said she first noticed the Mercedes when it did ``a funny turn'' at the top of Mailer St.

``I thought she had come out of her driveway.''

``She was holding up a bottle of wine as she was driving along. That was what made me suspicious.

``Then she started driving along Elgin Rd and she was all erratic ... So I rang the police and I followed her here [Maori Rd, near Arthur St].

``The car stopped and she just got out and ran. Some guys started chasing her.''

A man, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he saw the Mercedes near Mornington School, where it appeared it had run off the road and damaged its suspension.

The woman continued driving, leaving a black tyre mark from the scene to where the car eventually came to a halt in Maori Rd.

The man said she narrowly missed hitting children standing on the corner of Maori Rd and Hawthorne Ave, when she collided with a car going through the intersection.

``She just went straight through the intersection - not stopping.

``She could have hit those children.

``It was pretty scary.''

Another man said he had just arrived home and was parking his van, when he heard a skidding noise.

``It sounded like someone doing doughnuts or drifting on the streets.

``Then I saw a black Mercedes come flying down the street.

``I thought she's obviously hit cars, so I just jumped in my van and followed her.

``When she stopped, she was standing by the car and I said: `Just stay there, I'm going to call the cops'.

``She ran off. By the time I caught up with her, she had calmed down.

``She seemed very upset and very intoxicated.

``I'm surprised she got this far.

``I'm disappointed.

``The message just doesn't seem to be getting through. She could have killed someone,'' he said.

A police spokeswoman said police would not comment further, because the matter was now before the courts.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz


 

 

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