Completely unacceptable is how Hamilton's most senior Police officer is describing an incident where the driver of a car that hit a child was dragged from his vehicle and beaten overnight.
Hamilton City Area Commander, Inspector Greg Nicholls, said an investigation was underway after emergency services were called to Spenser Rd in Enderley about 9.10pm.
"Initial indications are a silver car was driving down the road when a one-year-old child, chasing another child on a bike, has run out in front of the car and been struck by it.
"The driver has stopped at the scene but was dragged from his vehicle by a number of people and seriously assaulted. He has then fled to a nearby address."
Mr Nicholls said the child suffered superficial injuries and was taken to hospital for overnight observation.
"Unfortunately the driver, who did the right thing, suffered more serious injuries and he was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance for treatment.
"Such behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated. In such situations a driver is obliged to stop and ascertain any injuries. If people known to the victims then take matters into their hands then they will be held to account. It is the Police's role to investigate and hold people to account, not emotional bystanders."
Mr Nicholls said last night's incident was the second one in which a pedestrian had been struck down by a car in the City.
"Earlier, shortly before 5pm a 13-year-old girl went to cross a street in the CBD against a red pedestrian signal. Changing her mind she has then turned back but been struck by a slow moving car and was taken to Waikato Hospital with minor injuries.
"In both these cases the initial victims were lucky in that speed was not a factor. Last year five pedestrians died on Waikato roads which emphasises the Police message that road safety is the responsibility of all road users, not just drivers, and that we need to use the roads sociably."