Hastings Police have a strong message for people who "cheat death" while trying to evade police, after two pursuits on Saturday - one involving an allegedly drunk driver.
"If police ask you to stop, please stop, it's easier than recovering in hospital for months ... or worse, killing yourself or someone else," Sergeant Kevin Stewart said.
The first chase began at 11.15pm, when the driver of a Honda City with a broken brake light refused to pull over for police on Freyberg St.
"Police followed the vehicle, carrying up to three men, in a circuit around residential streets in Raureka and then through the central city," Mr Stewart said.
"At Grove Rd, police abandoned the pursuit, due to the driver's erratic behaviour, and reaching speeds of 100km/h in residential areas." About 30 minutes later, the car was found abandoned in a driveway on Princes St.
"Inquiries showed the driver had warrants for his arrest. We believe that was the reason he evaded police."
The car had no registration or warrant of fitness and was unsafe to drive, Mr Stewart said.
"It defies belief that anyone would want to evade police in such a death trap."
Minutes later, police attempted to pull over a 19-year-old driving a Holden Commodore, which was swerving on Grove Rd.
The man refused to stop, turned a corner too fast into Windsor Ave, lost control and crashed into a powerbox, coming to a halt in the garden of a newly sold property.
"Damage to the powerbox will cost thousands of dollars to repair," Mr Stewart said.
The driver was apprehended at the scene and faces charges of failing to stop, excess breath alcohol and dangerous driving.
Mr Stewart said the incidents were a sign that some people were still not getting the message. "There's a small percentage of the population that think they can cheat death, that it's going to be okay. But that's not the way it works. It's simple, just don't run."
Napier Police were this morning investigating an accident in which a car crashed into a Marewa house last night.
Police in 2 chases
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