Police are seeking witnesses to a driver's erratic behaviour shortly before the stolen car he was driving crashed on a busy provincial back road.
Waikato District Operational Support Group Manager, Inspector Paul Carpenter, said a Highway Patrol vehicle had seen the Toyota Caldina car heading towards him on SH39 south of Pirongia shortly before noon.
"The officer saw something amiss about the car and turned around to follow it, heading in the direction of Pirongia, at this stage he did not have the Toyota in view.
"Approaching Pirongia the officer turned his lights and siren on and a short distance north of the village he has seen the car passing traffic on a corner. At this stage, in accordance with standard operating procedures, he notified the Northern Communications Centre he was initiating a pursuit," said Mr Carpenter.
At this point the Toyota is not in view however as he rounds a corner near the intersection with Bell Rd the officer found the Caldina had collided with a power-pole leaving the driver trapped and requiring to be cut out of the wreckage by fire fighters.
The male driver suffered moderate injuries in the crash and was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance. His injuries included a broken pelvis and leg fractures.
Power lines bought down in the crash required the road being closed for a short period however SH39 was reopened to single lane traffic an hour after the crash.
A male front seat passenger was shaken but unhurt in the crash and arrested by the Police.
Mr Carpenter said Police had earlier received calls about the way the Toyota had been driven, at high speed weaving in and out of traffic in front of oncoming vehicles.
"Investigators are particularly keen to hear from the driver of a southbound truck who they believe will be able to offer them insight into the driver's behaviour leading up to the crash.
"The Independent Police Conduct Authority will be notified of today's incident and the crash subject to investigation by the Serious Crash Unit."
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