Car transporter drives through crash scene

Police are considering laying charges against the driver of a car transporter after they drove through cordons at the scene of a South Waikato crash.

The January 8 incident happened after two vehicles had collided on State Highway 1 at Piarere, between Horahora and Paparamu roads, at about 5.30am. 

Five people were injured, three seriously and two critically, and the highway was closed for a scene examination by the Serious Crash Unit.

Police say officers were still working at the scene at 9.30am, when a car transporter and trailer drove around workers at two cordons and through the crash scene. 

They add an officer was forced to jump out of the way and cones were knocked over as the truck and trailer travelled through the investigation area.

Senior Sergeant Murray Hamilton says the driver was pulled over by police and spoken to. Charges are being considered against the 53-year-old Auckland man.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to take a detour or are running late, there’s no excuse that justifies ignoring road closures or putting people at risk,” explains Hamilton.

“Closing a state highway isn’t done lightly or without good reason and in this case, it was to determine what caused a serious crash that sent five people to hospital.

“Thankfully, the majority of people understand that.”

Inquiries into the cause of the crash are continuing.