Man accused of leaving crash to buy alcohol

A man allegedly crashed into an elderly couple's car before driving off and buying more alcohol.

Waikato road policing manager Leo Tooman alleges that the Hamilton man drove away from the crash that left the elderly couple injured.

"As the driver of the car got out of his vehicle to check his wife was all right he collapsed, the offender has then driven off and it appears he and his male passenger drove to a nearby liquor store to purchase more alcohol," Mr Tooman said.

He said the 32 year-old then crashed his car when he saw police heading to the scene at the intersection of Boundary Rd and Heaphy Tce yesterday.

"The driver has turned off to avoid police and driven straight into a power-pole. Attempting to flee, the driver was arrested," Mr Tooman said.

He said the driver has been charged after refusing to give police a blood test, failing to stay at the scene of a crash and dangerous driving.

Mr Tooman said the elderly couple injured in the crash were taken to Waikato Hospital.

He warned anyone who drinks and drives on the long weekend can expect a heavy police presence.

- NZHERALD STAFF