Auckland City Police are hunting for a man who, when being pursued while driving a stolen car, hit a pedestrian on Mayoral Drive who is now in a critical condition in Auckland Hospital.
The driver, a tall Caucasian with a shaved head, abandoned the stolen vehicle a short time later on the corner of Emily Place and Customs St. He was wearing a black wind-breaker type jacket and jeans.
The officer in the pursuing Police vehicle stopped to assist the hit and run victim immediately he was hit when crossing the road with friends while walking along Queen St.
Two crime scenes - where the crash took place at about 12.28am and where the stolen vehicle was found a short time later - have been cordoned off in the city.
Auckland City CIB has launched a serious crime investigation. The Serious Crash Unit has been in attendance since shortly after the crash and the officers involved in the pursuit have been spoken to and relieved from further duties today.
The pursuit itself lasted less than 30 seconds, having been activated by two Police vehicles on the corner of Mayoral Drive and Wellesley Street.
The driver of the stolen vehicle chose to ignore Police attempts to stop him and he took off at speed along Mayoral Drive and hit the pedestrian who was crossing the road while the motorists' lights were red.
Ambulance services were called to the scene immediately and the pedestrian was taken to hospital. He was in the company of three friends who were attempting to cross the road before he was hit. His friends have been with Police since 12.30am and are very shaken by the night's events.
Police are appealing for anyone who has information about the driver of the car to contact Auckland Central Police CIB on 09 302 6400 or to call 111 with urgent information.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz