Woman accused of breaching police cordon

Photo / file

A drunk driver is accused of driving through a police cordon set up around a hit and run crash in Hamilton on Friday night.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said police had placed a marked cordon at the intersection of Clarkin and Bankwood Roads shortly after 8pm following a collision where the driver of a Mazda car drove off after hitting a young family's vehicle.

"One of our officers was within the cordon when a shout went out from one of the traffic management staff warning her of an approaching vehicle that had driven through and over road cones cordoning off the area of the earlier crash," Mr Tooman said.

"As the officer turned round to see a vehicle bearing down on her the car suddenly turned sharply in the driveway. Going to investigate the female driver demanded to know what the police officer was doing?"

The officer asked the woman if she had been drinking after seeing a nearly empty wine bottle in the woman's handbag.

"The woman refused to answer and instead tried to push past the officer to get inside the house. After a brief struggle the woman was arrested with the assistance of a dog handler," Mr Tooman said.

The woman was processed for excess breath alcohol and returned a reading of 750mgms.

Mr Tooman says she has been charged over this and for failing to accompany police.

"Of primary concern for us is this is the second alcohol related incident to occur at the same spot in a short period of time."

Mr Tooman said road cordons are established to secure the integrity of crime scenes and the safety of emergency services staff, as well as other road users.

"Motorists need to be aware that if they choose to ignore these cordons they not only put themselves at risk they face serious charges."

The 20-year-old man at the centre of Friday's earlier incident faces several charges in relation to the crash.

He will appear in the Hamilton District Court on Thursday.

His victim remains in Waikato Hospital.

- Herald Online staff