A Canadian who was in Otago on a working holiday was arrested at Queenstown Airport yesterday as he tried to skip the country to avoid a drink-driving charge.
Sergeant Steve Watt, of Queenstown police, said the 23-year-old quit his job and booked flights for Los Angeles, via Auckland and Fiji, after being charged with drink-driving following a crash in the resort on Saturday.
The man was driving up Goldfield Heights about 2.15am when he hit a parked car on the left-hand side of the road, careered across the road and hit another parked car.
All three vehicles were damaged.
He recorded a breath-alcohol level of 675mcg, and was due to appear in the Queenstown District Court next Monday.
However, a border alert meant he was arrested when he attempted to check in.
He is expected to appear in the Alexandra District Court today.
