A steamroller was used to damage vehicles in Upper Hutt early this morning.
A steamroller was used to damage vehicles in Upper Hutt early this morning.
Scenes of utter mayhem have been captured in Upper Hutt overnight as a person driving a steamroller ploughed into boy-racers - crushing cars and narrowly missing fleeing onlookers.
Police arrived at the scene of the incident at 12.25am today in Eastern Hutt Rd, Silverstream, and arrested a 47-year-old man overthe incident, charging him with endangering transport.
Footage of the steamroller appears to show it hitting numerous cars with the crowd of onlookers hurling abuse at the driver.
An associate of the man was also arrested for assault at the scene, however police have updated that he has now been released from custody.
One person sustained leg injuries involving another vehicle, and another person sustained facial injuries after an altercation at the scene.
St John advised that one person was treated at the scene and hospitalised, however their injuries were caused by another vehicle and not the steamroller.
Five vehicles were damaged during the incident.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said police were limited in what they could say because the matter is before the courts but the incident had the "potential for tragedy".
"We are committed to working with the community on illegal street racing activity and anti-social driver behaviour," Verry said.
"We urge anyone who notices activity that concerns them to contact Police straight away, rather than taking actions which might put themselves and others at risk.
"Police are also aware of concerning sentiment circulating on social media surrounding this incident.
"We remind people that making threatening or abusive statements can be an offence."
Verry said inquiries into the incident are ongoing, and further charges are likely.
National MP Judith "Crusher" Collins declined to comment on the incident.
She introduced a law in 2009 allowing police to seize boy-racers' cars with courts then having the power to send those owned by repeat offenders to the crusher.
