Car drives through drink-driving checkpoint and crashes as police officer dives out of way

One person was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital with minor injuries after the crash. Photo / File

A police officer in Napier jumped out of the way of an oncoming car as a driver sped through a drink-driving checkpoint and then crashed.

An 18-year-old man was arrested after the crash at the intersection of Georges Dr and Thackeray St at about 10pm on Friday night, a police spokeswoman said.

He was set to appear in the Napier District Court on charges of reckless driving, failing to stop and excess breath alcohol.

One person in the car was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital with minor injuries after the crash, the spokesperson said.

The officer was not injured.

The incident followed an earlier single-vehicle crash into a power pole at the intersection of Ericksen Rd and Awatoto Rd in Napier.

The crash, at about 6.45pm, cut power to the area. One person was assessed by an ambulance but did not appear to have serious injuries, a police spokeswoman said.

On Saturday, emergency services were called to a three-car crash on State Highway 2, Norsewood, near the intersection with Piripiri Rd about 2.40pm.

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said five people were assessed for injuries at the scene.

Two people were taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance – one was in a serious condition and the other in a moderate condition.

Two others were transported to Hawke’s Bay Hospital by ambulance – one was in a moderate condition and another in a minor condition.

The other did not require an ambulance.