Teen charged after road rage incident in Napier, police seeking victims

Police are seeking the public's help over a reported road rage incident in Napier last night. Photo File

Police have charged a teenager with dangerous driving after a road rage incident in Napier last night.

In a statement released about 10.30pm yesterday police said they wanted to speak to the occupants of a white ute or truck, who were victims of a road rage incident in Onekawa about 7pm.

This morning Detective Steve Leonard told Hawke's Bay Today police had charged a 19-year-old male with dangerous driving after the incident.

Police were attending a separate matter on Riverbend Rd when they saw the teenager's vehicle, a white van, tail-gating a car in front of his, he said.

Police were concerned at the man's driving so they followed him, activating sirens and lights, and pulled him over on Austin St several minutes later.

Mr Leonard said it took some time for the man to notice authorities as he was driving aggressively.

He appeared to have become angry with those in the other car because he felt they were driving too slowly, he said.

"The vehicle that he was chasing, when we stopped him, carried on so we want to speak to the occupants of that vehicle.

"They are the victims in this matter so we want to speak to them.

"They were obviously in a bit of a hurry to get out of there because by the looks of the way it was all unfolding it looked like they were quite terrified," Leonard said.

Police would like to speak to the occupants of the car being followed. It is described as a white ute or truck, he said.

"We just hope to get these people to come forward. They'll know who they are because it was quite obvious that they were in a frantic manner to get away from him."

Mr Leonard said it was hard to tell how fast the vehicles were going, but it appeared to be over the 50kph speed limit.

The 19-year-old male was summoned to appear in the Napier District Court next Wednesday.

Members of the public were asked to contact Mr Leonard at Hastings Police Station (06) 831 0700.