Prison for fleeing crash scene

A man has received a prison sentence for fleeing the scene of a car crash and not checking on the vehicle's passengers.

Kory Stephen O'Neill pleaded guilty to drink driving, careless driving and failing to stop or ascertain injury when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Stephen Butler said O'Neill was driving with two associates on August 5 when his vehicle lost traction and hit a tree.

O'Neill fled the scene without checking on the other people in the car, which had extensive damage.

Police found O'Neill in Kowhai Park a short time later after a foot chase.

"In explanation he said he didn't think before he acted," Mr Butler told the court.

Testing revealed O'Neill had 543mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

Judge Philip Crayton sentenced O'Neill to six weeks imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for nine months.