Hit-and-run injury keeps woman from tending sick dad

The decision by a carload of youths to run from police has left a woman lying injured in hospital and unable to visit her gravely ill father in the Waikato.

Tania Walsh, 41, took the impact when the fleeing car smashed into partner Raymond Hickey's vehicle on a roundabout in Pukekohe town centre on Saturday night. The Hamilton woman said the Nissan that hit their Holden did not have any headlights on, and the police car following it was not using lights and sirens.

Police said the crash happened seconds after officers noticed the Nissan and made a u-turn to speak to the occupants, who sped off when they saw the patrol car. They are treating the inquiry in the same way as a pursuit. Findings will be referred to the Police Complaints Authority.

Miss Walsh has been in Middlemore Hospital since the accident and was last night waiting for the results of an MRI examination carried out yesterday for a hip injury.

She is hoping to be transferred to Waikato Hospital and then arrange to travel to Te Kuiti to see her father, Michael, who is suffering from blood poisoning and kidney failure.

Miss Walsh said she would "definitely" be with her father if she could.

An 18-year-old is facing charges of driving while disqualified and failing to stop. He was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Pukekohe District Court on Monday.