Fugitive abandons pregnant girlfriend

Police say the driver escaped on foot after the accident, leaving his pregnant girlfriend behind. Photo / File

A man who fled police crashed his car into another motorist and then a building before he got out of his vehicle and ran off - leaving his pregnant and injured girlfriend behind.

Hamilton City area commander Inspector Rob Lindsay said emergency services attended two scenes a short distance from each other in Kahikatea Drive about 10pm on Wednesday.

He said the incident was still being investigated but it appeared a man lost control of his Ford Falcon on a sharp bend while fleeing police.

He then crashed into a Daihatsu Charade travelling in the same direction where Greenwood St joins Kahikatea Drive.

The Daihatsu, driven by a woman returning from a Diwali function at the Sikh temple in Te Rapa, was pushed sideways into a pole in a business forecourt, trapping four women inside.

The Falcon drove on a short way before the driver again lost control and hit the Black Ball Liquor store.

Mr Lindsay said the driver escaped the wreckage and fled on foot, leaving behind his girlfriend who had been travelling as a front-seat passenger.

"Several members of the public chased after the driver as he ran off, however he evaded both their and police efforts to catch him and he remains at large."

Watching the events unfold was Black Ball owner Harinder Mann, who was also returning home from the Sikh temple and was driving past his business when he saw police cars outside.

He said paramedics and firefighters removed the four women from their car. Two were taken to Waikato Hospital with minor injuries.

Mr Mann said the pregnant woman "seemed all right" and was questioned by police before she too was taken to hospital.

But the exterior of his business suffered damage from the collision.

"There's a bit of electrical damage and damage to the phone lines, it could be a few days to get it fixed."

Mr Lindsay said officers had seen the Ford Falcon being driven in Rifle Range Rd without rear tail-lights. The driver had refused to stop and had driven away at speed.

He said the man was known to police and described him as a Maori of average height.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified.