A Huntly police officer involved in a three-car smash on State Highway 1 that injured six other people has been acquitted of dangerous and careless driving charges.
Senior Constable Sean Sullivan's police car skidded into the path of two southbound cars 3km north of Huntly on January 31.
The 52-year-old policeman suffered a broken collarbone. All six occupants of the other cars were taken to Waikato Hospital with injuries.
After a police investigation, he was charged with six counts each of dangerous driving causing injury and careless driving causing injury. Acting Sergeant Mark Toomey, told the Huntly District Court that Sullivan lost control while rounding a left-hand bend at about 120 km/h. Examination showed the edge of the road was contaminated by an odourless substance "oily to the touch."
Judge Philip Cooper told the hearing that Sullivan lost control due to an unusual circumstance that could not have been foreseen. He was driving to an emergency and his speed of 120 km/h was justified.
- NZPA
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