Crimeline

Head on Crown Range smash - 74-year-old American tourist crosses centre line

A 74-year-old American tourist has been charged with careless driving after crossing the centre line and hitting an oncoming car head on on the plateau at the top of the Crown Range Zig Zag at 1.45pm on Saturday, 18 October.

Sergeant Bruce Martin says there was only a 20m separation when the two vehicles met head on on a blind corner, both travelling at about 60km/hr.

“It was probably only due to the lower speed at impact that avoided more serious injury or fatality,” Martin says.

Two St John Ambulances attended the head on crash, and a spokesperson says three patients, two in a moderate condition and one with minor injuries, were transported to Lakes District Hospital. An additional patient with minor injuries was assessed and treated at the scene.

The oncoming Nissan Qashqai vehicle, carrying two New Zealanders in their 50s, came around a left-hand sweeping corner and was confronted with the American’s SUV rental vehicle in their lane.

The elderly American man, whose wife, also in her 70s, was a passenger in the vehicle, pleaded guilty in the Queenstown District Court on Tuesday (21 October). He was disqualified from driving for six months, fined $2000 and ordered to pay reparation of $1000.

The collision caused extensive damage to both vehicles.

Martin says the accident just highlighted the need to obey the road rules and drive to the conditions. ‘If you’re not familiar with the roads then be extra cautious,” he says.

“I’ve dealt with previous crashes involving drivers from overseas and they’ve been horrified that they’ve hurt someone else, or been the cause of a crash, all through a moment’s inattention."

 

Road rage on Frankton Road

A 39-year-old Christchurch driver has been charged with driving with an excess breath alcohol level – third or subsequent, after Police received multiple calls of a vehicle allegedly swerving in and out of its lane while the driver allegedly pulled the fingers and swore at passing cars along Frankton Road.

Constable Amanda Shute says Police stopped the vehicle on Hallenstein Street at 5.35pm on Thursday, 16 October, where the driver was breath tested, allegedly blowing 670mcg. The driver will face a charge of driving with an excess breath alcohol level - third or subsequent, in the Christchurch District Court on 13 November.

 

Driving while disqualified

A 41-year-old man has been charged with driving while his licence was suspended after being stopped by Police at 4.38pm on Thursday, 16 October, on Robertson Street. His vehicle was impounded for 28 days, and he will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 4 November.

 

Queenstown Senior Sergeant elected NZ Police Association boss

After almost 20 years policing in Queenstown, Otago Lakes Central area road policing manager Senior Sergeant Steve Watt leaves on Tuesday (28 October) for his new role as New Zealand Police Association president in Wellington.

Watt, who was elected to the top job by his colleagues recently, has been involved with the association for 13 years, starting on the local branch committee, before becoming chairperson then Southern Region director. He’s been the national vice president since 2023.

He's the southernmost president ever elected and says he’s “very excited” to get stuck into his new role and the challenges it brings.

“It’s an absolute privilege.” The role brings great responsibility. “I’m tasked with enhancing the wellbeing of police members and their families”

He’ll be focusing on officer safety, including mental health, with violence against Police officers continuing to increase. “We’re seeing an upward trend in members suffering from mental health issues and while there

are some good practices in place to tackle this more investment is required to ensure we continue to support our members in what is a challenging occupation. “

Watt started as a frontline Constable in Queenstown, promoted to Sergeant, and two and a half years ago to Road Policing Senior Sergeant.

He’s witnessed big increases in local and tourist population numbers in Queenstown. “With that comes an increase in harm and problems that Police have to deal with, increased victimisation,” he says. “We’re also seeing an influx of self-drive tourism, increasing vehicles on our roads.” He says Police have been “hammering home” the message about speed, hitting anyone hard, even in that 1km/hr to 10km/hr range, to reduce the mean speed.

The hardest part of his job has been telling families and loved ones someone is not coming home. “The tragic nature of fatal accidents is so avoidable,” he says.

The best part has been the huge community support for the Police locally.