Teenager seven times over limit, police say

A Hastings teenager, who crashed and rolled a car while carrying five of his schoolmates on Sunday, was seven times over the legal alcohol limit, police say.

Police said the 16-year-old blew 1062 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The limit for under 20-year-olds is 150mcg, and the adult limit is 400mcg.

Senior Sergeant Mike O'Leary of Hastings told the Dominion Post that the driver lost control of the car on a bend at Twyford, near Hastings, just after 4am on Sunday. It skidded, crashed into a ditch and rolled twice before bursting into flames.

No-one was hurt. The driver has been charged with car theft and dangerous driving.

Land Transport New Zealand spokesman spokesman Andy Knackstedt said the breath limit was among the highest recorded for someone in that age group.

- NZPA