Driver crashes into pole fleeing police

File photo / NZ Herald

A fleeing driver who led police on a pursuit in Lower Hutt late last night is in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital.

Wellington police district road policing manager Inspector Peter Baird said highway patrol were alerted to a vehicle driving carelessly and at speed on the Eastern Hutt Rd about 10.45pm last night.

"The fleeing driver failed to stop for police and a pursuit ensued along Eastern Hutt Rd, which lasted about a minute. Speeds of up to 150 kilometres an hour were reached over a two kilometre stretch of road.

The speed limit for the area was 70 and 80 km/h. No other vehicles were involved in the pursuit."

He said the pursuit ended when the fleeing driver's vehicle slid and crashed into a power pole.

- NZHERALD STAFF