Driver in truck crash 'impaired'

A refrigerated truck lies on its side, south of Waihola, yesterday. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery, ODT

The driver of a freight truck which crashed south of Waihola early yesterday was under the influence, police allege.

Constable Will Pentelow, of Milton, could not yesterday confirm exactly what the 46-year-old male driver had been under the influence of at the time of the crash, but said he definitely appeared "impaired" when emergency services arrived at the scene.

The crash happened just before 4am on the Clarendon Highway, just south of Waihola.

The Cooltranz truck, carrying a load of frozen chickens, had struck a power pole and slid down a bank on to its side.

Mr Pentelow said the truck then hit a culvert, which brought it to an abrupt halt.

The driver received minor injuries and was taken to Dunedin Hospital for assessment.

The truck's load did not spill in the crash.

Cooltranz director Graham Rule declined to comment on the crash, other than to say he had spoken to the driver, who was shaken and upset.

Mr Pentelow said the driver would be facing multiple charges as a result of the crash.