A 39-year-old man will face court after he allegedly drove on the wrong side of the motorway in Auckland while being followed by police helicopter.
Waitematā North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Roger Small said officers were notified of a vehicle travelling on State Highway 1 south through Wellsford, allegedly bearing stolen plates around 4.15am.
The police Eagle helicopter observed the vehicle as it left the motorway at Dairy Flat, accelerating rapidly and driving over the speed limit.
“The vehicle wasn’t pursued, however spikes were successfully deployed near Greville Rd.
“The driver has continued onto the motorway, this time travelling in the wrong direction, narrowly avoiding several oncoming vehicles,” said Small.
He said the driver then turned back and exited again at Greville Rd before coming to a stop and being taken into custody.
The 39-year-old man will appear in North Shore District Court today facing a number of charges including reckless driving, failing to stop and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
“These reckless actions had the potential to cause a serious crash and put other road users at risk.”
