A stolen car sought by police in connection with an assault ploughed into a large road sign pole in Hamilton, critically injuring a teenager.
The 18-year-old was in intensive care at Waikato Hospital last night after the crash in Dinsdale at 7pm on Wednesday.
A resident of Massey St, wherethe crash happened, said the first witness there suspected alcohol was a factor.
Graeme Neely said the driver following the car saw dangerous driving before the crash. The van driver then rushed to help the three injured occupants while a second person called 111.
"He put his head in the door to see how the people were, and straight away the first thing that struck him was the smell of alcohol."
It was also believed the occupants were not wearing seatbelts, he said.
Inspector Kerry Watson of police northern communications said it appeared the car was stolen and possibly being sought over an alleged assault, though details were unclear.
Two women passengers were also taken to hospital. By yesterday afternoon a 23-year-old had been discharged and a 21-year-old was in the high dependency unit.
In a second accident, at 10pm on Wednesday in Rotorua, a 17-year-old man had to be cut free from a Holden Commodore after smashing into a metal fence in Sunnybrook.
Police reports indicate only one car was involved, although a person thought they had heard two cars racing.
The driver was yesterday in critical condition in Waikato Hospital.
