Driver flees police wrong way on two Auckland motorways, car-jacks bystander’s vehicle

A person fleeing police drove the wrong way on two Auckland motorways in two different stolen vehicles, crashed into a truck and car-jacked a bystander’s vehicle.

The incident began on Richard Pearse Drive, Māngere when police spotted a stolen SUV and signalled the driver to stop.

The vehicle was seen going on the Southern Motorway near Hill Rd in the wrong direction.

The SUV travelled onto the Southwestern Motorway and crashed into a truck near the Plunkett Rd overbridge.

The driver exited and forcibly stole a hatchback that had come to a stop near the crash.

The driver did not sustain injuries, but was shaken, Inspector Daniel Meade said.

The stolen hatchback was monitored by the Eagle helicopter travelling around the Māngere area at speed and spikes were successfully deployed.

The vehicle got back onto the Southwestern Motorway in the wrong direction on Coronation Rd, narrowly avoiding other motorists. One other vehicle sustained minor damage.

Traffic in the northbound lane on the Southwestern Motorway was heavy following the incident. Photo / Google

Mead said the driver got out of the stolen hatchback and attempted to approach another vehicle, but it drove off.

Police blocked the vehicle in near the Walmsley Rd overbridge and the driver was taken into custody.

“It is incredibly fortunate no member of the public was seriously injured as a result of the driver’s reckless actions this morning.

“Police are working to clear the scene and there has been some impact on travel on northbound lane,” Mead said.

“We would like to acknowledge motorists’ understanding as we responded to this incident.”

The 27-year-old offender is now in Police custody and will be facing charges.

UPDATE 10:30AM
Two northbound lanes are now OPEN again at this crash scene. The left lane remains blocked as vehicle recovery occurs. Expect northbound delays on #SH20 from Puhinui Rd to now start to ease. ^TP https://t.co/iNzUa6X285

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) August 8, 2023