KEY POINTS:
A suspected drink driver on the run from police crashed through a fence into a residential Tauranga property early this morning.
Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Madden said police were alerted that the driver of a Subaru Legacy was believed to be intoxicated about 1am.
The car was stopped by a police patrol but before the officer could approach, it took off at speed and police pursued.
The car reached speeds greater than 150km/h along Takitimu Drive, Mr Madden said.
The driver left the expressway at the Cambridge Rd exit and failed to slow for an intersection, he said.
The car careered through the 1.8m fence of a residential property and plunged down a step bank into the neighbouring property where it stopped only metres from the resident's vehicle.
All four occupants took off on foot, but police apprehended the driver and two passengers a short distance away, he said.
No one was injured.
A 22-year-old builder from Katitaki has been charged with failing to stop, dangerous driving and driving with excess breath alcohol, and is due to appear in Tauranga District Court on Wednesday, Mr Madden said.
- NZPA