Crimeline

Police have been dealing with drink driving, crashes due to driver inattention, some late-night aggression and an unusual night-time assault on a female walking home in which the perpetrator used her phone.

 

Late night assault on female

Police are now on the hunt for a man in his mid-20s with blonde hair and facial hair, of average build about 1.67m (5-ft 5in), who was wearing light coloured clothing, after the alleged assault on the female in Turner Street at 3.15am on 12 May.

Community and Youth Constable Amanda Shute says the man, who claimed to live on Hallenstein Street and gave his first name as “Kyle”, allegedly approached the female victim, grabbed her phone, and then grabbed her arm. He wasn’t known to her. “The suspect has made a voice recording on the victim’s phone and then returned it to her.” Police are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the assault or have any information about the suspect. “We’d like to speak to you.”

 

Downtown assault

While patrolling in Camp Street at 1:50am, also on 12 May, Police witnessed a male punch another male twice in the head causing him to fall to the ground. A 28-year-old local male was arrested and is due to reappear in the Queenstown District Court on 6 June. The victim was taken to Lakes District Hospital with a suspected concussion.

 

Driver inattention – Crashes and fortunate escapes

There have been a few fortunate escapes during the past week or so after some driver inattention. Police are urging drivers to be patient, check and double check before pulling out or changing lanes, and not to be distracted by phones, radios, or passengers. Sergeant Tracy Haggart says a 32-year-old Glenorchy man was travelling too fast into a corner at 10:15pm on 8 May when he got distracted and took his eyes off the road, losing control on the corner, she says. He crashed into a ditch, rolling the car which landed on its roof. Fortunately, he escaped uninjured.

A 32-year-old German man was distracted while driving on State Highway 6 Kingston Road just before 3pm on 14 May, his vehicle veering into loose gravel on the roadside. After over-correcting he crossed the centreline hitting a barrier.

A 36-year-old Korean man pulled out of a driveway onto Fernhill Road and failed to see an oncoming vehicle, causing a collision at 11pm on 11 May.

A 62-year-old Queenstown man also pulled out onto Stanley Street just before 4pm on 8 May, crossing lanes into heavy traffic congestion. He was waved on to pull out into the lane but failed to see an oncoming vehicle in the right turning lane. The two vehicles collided causing moderate damage.

The ski season arrives next month and with it, anticipated traffic build-ups and delays on our roads. Police are urging motorists in busy traffic to:

• Be patient
• Check and double check before moving out of an intersection
• If someone is courteous in multiple lanes and slows to allow you into the traffic flow, move slowly and double check other lanes you intend to move into before pulling out.
• Keep full concentration on the road and traffic around you. Do not be distracted by your phone, adjusting the radio, or by other passengers.

 

Drink driving

Police were called by a member of the public who’d heard a crash on Gorge Road, near Arthur’s Point, at 6am on 14 May. A 34-year-old Queenstown man had crashed his motorbike and was located at the scene where he was breath tested, allegedly blowing 854mcg/l of breath. He is due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on 24 May on charges of driving with an excess breath alcohol level and careless driving.

A 44-year-old local female was breath tested after being stopped at a Police checkpoint on 9 May. She allegedly returned a result of 783mcg/l of breath and was suspended from driving for 28 days. The woman will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 24 May.

A 29-year-old local male was also stopped, breath tested and allegedly blew 305mcg/l. He was issued with an infringement notice.

 

Winter conditions

With winter approaching Police are urging motorists to drive to the conditions, and within their limitations and driving experience.

“Keep your speed down and follow the recommended advisory speeds on corners, particularly when the roads are wet or icy, or there is grit.”