Crash ends Taupo man's high speed driving

A man who led police on a chase through Taupo at speeds up to 180km/h early this morning, was caught after he crashed into a farm paddock.

Constable Shane McNally said in a statement police had tried to stop a Nissan car being driven dangerously in Taupo town at 3.20am today.

The vehicle failed to stop and was pursued along several streets.

When speeds reached 180km/h, pursuit was abandoned in line with police policy, he added.

As police later travelled to the registered address for the vehicle, they found it about 12km from where pursuit had been abandoned.

The Nissan had crashed and rolled into a farm paddock.

A 28-year-old Taupo man was found lying near the vehicle. He had suffered minor injuries and was taken to Rotorua hospital for treatment.

Mr McNally said the driver could expect to face charges.

- NZPA