Arrest after fleeing car crashes in Hawke’s Bay

The scene on State Highway 51 on Wednesday afternoon at the end of a series of events that started in the Napier suburb of Onekawa. Photo / Paul Taylor

One person was injured and another arrested after a car which fled police crashed on State Highway 51 between Napier and Hastings on Wednesday.

Police said a vehicle failed to stop when the driver was signalled to do so about 1.15pm in the Napier suburb of Onekawa.

The vehicle was not pursued by police, but was followed “at road speed”, and road spikes were used to bring the vehicle to a stop a short while later on State Highway 51, near Ruahapia Rd north of Hastings, police said.

During the incident, the vehicle was involved in a collision which resulted in one person being transported to Hawke’s Bay Hospital for assessment.

A 33-year-old man was arrested on charges relating to that incident, and inquiries were continuing.

Meanwhile, the number of uncontactable people post-Cyclone Gabrielle as of 9am on Thursday was 152, police said.

In the 24 hours to 7pm on Wednesday, police in the Eastern District conducted 507 prevention activities, including reassurance patrols and proactive engagements with storm-hit communities.

Over the same period, police received 597 calls for service, including six reports of burglaries, 11 unlawful takings and 38 family harm incidents.

A police spokesperson said 35 people have been arrested for a variety of offences – 24 in Hawke’s Bay and 11 in Tairāwhiti. Offences included car conversion, serious assaults, burglary and disorder.

An additional 145 police staff and the Eagle helicopter remain in the Eastern District.