January 14, 2009

A car which was being pursued by police and ended up slamming into a Norfolk pine on SH2 last night had been spotted by bystanders hitting speeds estimated at up to 150km/h just minutes earlier.
The 35-year-old driver, who police said was being pursued in the wake of a reported domestic incident, escaped serious injury but was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital for precautionary checks.
Police were alerted to the domestic incident about 9.15pm and came across the man leaving the scene in his car.
Police pursued him through Maraenui, Napier South and on to Marine Parade. Their sirens, which echoed across the neighbourhoods, attracted bystanders.
While police described the pursuit as 'low speed', a Te Awa Ave resident who watched the car pass reckoned it was reaching speeds close to 150km/h.
One man described standing on the deck of his house's second storey and watching the chase through the streets of Maraenui.
Another said he didn't think twice about the noise as cars often reached 100km/h on Te Awa Ave, _ a 50km/h zone.
Police, however, appeared to keep a distance to try to keep speeds down.
After a pursuit lasting about 20 minutes, the man drove on to Marine Parade and headed toward Hastings before slowing down and apparently veering into a tree.
The Te Awa Ave resident said his partner watched as the driver slowed and hit the tree in a 'cloud of smoke'.
Trapped in the car, the driver had to be cut free by firefighters.
The stretch of SH 2 was closed with traffic diverted along Te Awa Ave until about 12.30am.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority will investigate the pursuit.
Police are still considering various charges relating to the domestic incident as well as the driving.
Credit:Hawkes Bay Today