Cop admits driving carelessly

Flaxmere constable Shane Greville.

A Hawke's Bay police officer has admitted to careless driving causing injury after crashing into an elderly woman's car while speeding.

Flaxmere Constable Shane Greville had originally faced a charge of dangerous driving causing injury after the crash in September last year.

But in Hastings District Court today he entered a guilty plea to the lesser careless driving charge.

He was off duty when his black Chevrolet Camaro was involved in a collision with another car at 6pm on September 27 along Napier Rd in Havelock North.

It is understood the officer paid $89,000 for the slick black 1967 Camaro, which he had purchased just three weeks before the crash.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Neil Coker said Greville was travelling "well above the posted speed limit" at about 91km/h when he braked heavily and skidded about 50m, before colliding with the rear of a 74-year-old woman's vehicle, shunting it off the road.

The victim received heavy bruising to her face and ribcage and was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital, and later discharged.

Greville stated he was "very remorseful" and that he had been "showing off," Mr Coker said.

An internal police investigation was conducted in the wake of the incident.
Greville was convicted and remanded for sentencing on September 30.