Man runs over teens for laughing at him

File photo / Martin Sykes

Two teenagers have been run over after laughing at a man whose car wouldn't start.

In an unusual case of road rage, 19-year-old Taryn Hunter and a friend were run down outside her Ohauiti Rd home at 6am on Monday after laughing when they saw a woman pushing a broken down car while two men sat in it.

Taryn was left injured and lying in the fetal position on the road and an off-duty police officer chased the motorist.

Taryn, who is today still recovering from her ordeal, told the Bay of Plenty Times: "Who wouldn't laugh at two men sitting in a little car and making their missus or a woman push them?"

The car's passenger got out while the driver took off up the road, turned around and allegedly made a beeline for the teens.

Miss Hunter, her boyfriend and her boyfriend's teenage brother were standing on the side of the road.

Miss Hunter and the brother were both hit.

"I heard the car change gear and accelerate for me," Miss Hunter said.

Witnesses said the impact of the collision sent Miss Hunter flying three to four feet.

"I know my face hit the windscreen," she said.

"I could hear the bonnet buckle underneath me."

Miss Hunter was left lying in a fetal position on the road. The driver sped off from the scene as outraged neighbours, and an off-duty police officer, chased after him. "I remember I couldn't move my legs. I just freaked out. I didn't know what was going on.

"I seriously didn't think he was going to run me over," Miss Hunter said.

She has a chipped tooth, bruising across her body and is unable to walk or put weight on either leg despite being given crutches.

Miss Hunter's boyfriend, who did not want to be named, said the driver aimed for all three of them.

"He was caning it."

Neighbour Mike Warren said he saw the whole thing.

He said the two parties had a confrontation, the man drove away and did a u-turn before running down the teens.

"I couldn't believe my eyes.

"He hit her straight on," Mr Warren said.

"That's what really made me wild.

"He aimed for her. She's a pretty little thing. Why hit a girl?"

The brother was not seriously hurt but did not want to comment.

Miss Hunter was taken to Tauranga Hospital. The incident was also witnessed by two off-duty police officers. One stayed at the scene while the other pursued the offender.

A man appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday and faced two charges of assault using a motor vehicle as a weapon, one of failing to stop and ascertain injury and one of possession of methamphetamine. Zane Tani Courtney, 21, was remanded on bail without plea and is due back in court on April 13.