KEY POINTS:
The driver of a car which ploughed into a churchgoer in central Auckland yesterday, leaving her fighting for her life, has been discharged from hospital.
A police spokeswoman said the 35-year-old North Shore man, who suffered moderate injuries, would appear in Auckland District Court tomorrow morning charged with
dangerous driving.
His 58-year-old victim, Gwen Roberts, remains in a critical but stable condition.
The homeless woman had just come out of Aotea Chapel, where she attends a service every Sunday morning, and was enjoying a cigarette.
She probably didn't even see the white Mercedes-Benz saloon before it struck her as she stood on the pavement.
But moments earlier startled pedestrians had jumped out of the way as the car hurtled up Queen St a few blocks away, jumping several red lights with its horn blaring.
Ms Roberts was thrown on to the bonnet of the car as it ploughed into the Methodist Mission, shattering a large window and throwing shards of glass over the parishioners inside.
While most escaped with minor cuts, Ms Roberts suffered multiple injuries.
Witnesses have described seeing the 1988 Mercedes fly up Queen St at speeds of up to 100km/h before the crash.
The driver allegedly ignored red lights, drove on the wrong side of the street and narrowly missed hitting other pedestrians.
"He was just honking his horn madly to get people to jump out the way," said one man who was outside Whitcoulls when he saw the Mercedes fly by. "I just thought there was going to be a crash."
At the intersection of Queen St and Wakefield St the car mounted the kerb and travelled about 60m before hitting Ms Roberts who was standing just outside the Methodist Mission.
Coffee shop manager Robbie Bhullar said he was setting up tables outside when he heard a constant horn blast. He turned around and saw the Mercedes mount the kerb at speed.
"There were orange cones under the car and they were being dragged along. After a few seconds I heard a loud noise and it was in the building."
The impact of the car hitting the glass window was enough to send two women inside the building flying backwards. Some parishioners suffered minor cuts from the flying glass.
One parishioner, who did not want to be named, said he rushed outside after hearing the impact.
He arrived to see Ms Roberts half lying on the ground and half across the front of the car. She appeared to have serious injuries to her legs but was conscious.
The man, who rode with her in the ambulance, said Ms Roberts had lived at the night shelter for many years. He was not sure if she had any family.
Methodist Missioner the Rev John Murray said Ms Roberts suffered from schizophrenia but was "a wonderful old character".
The driver remained in the car after the accident, clutching a laptop computer and yelling.
He was taken to Auckland City Hospital where last night he remained under police guard.
- With NZPA