Crash and run in Napier

A young man's night went from bad to worse when he crashed into a car near Napier early yesterday, only to find the driver was an off-duty police officer.

Senior Sergeant Greg Brown said the offending vehicle had crossed the centre line, colliding with the constable's private car about 3am on State Highway 50. The cars were badly damaged. Mr Brown said the 20-year-old driver and his two passengers ran off.

The off-duty constable caught one passenger and a police dog tracked the driver. A decision on any charges has yet to be made.