Charges are being considered for a motorist who allegedly drove through a cordoned-off crash scene in Waikato this morning on State Highway 1.
Police said the crash occurred at about 5.30am at Piarere between Horahora and Paparamu roads.
Five people were injured, including two critically and three seriously. The highway was then closed by the Serious Crash Unit for a scene examination.
At 9.30am, as police were still working at the scene, a car transporter and trailer wwas allegedly driven around workers at two cordons and then through the crash scene.
Police said an officer was “forced to jump out of the way” as the truck and trailer carried on through the investigation area, knocking over cones as it did so.
Senior Sergeant Murray Hamilton said the driver was then pulled over and spoken to.
Charges are being considered for the 53-year-old motorist, police confirmed.
“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,” said 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 were ongoing. Police added the road had reopened at about 11.30am.
