A driver allegedly nearly three times the legal breath alcohol limit drove off about 500m before police boxed him in and smashed his window, after finding him slumped at the wheel in Auckland.
Officers noticed a Mini Cooper parked on Shirley Rd in Papatoetoe at about 1am on Tuesday, with the man leaning over the steering wheel.
Acting Counties Manukau West area response manager, acting senior sergeant Joanna Hunkin, said the man woke when officers approached but refused to open his door and drove off.
“The unit pursued the vehicle at low speed before they were able to box him in about 500 metres up the road,” she said.
“The man continued to ignore police instructions, so officers have had to smash the window to remove him from the vehicle and take him into custody.”
Breath alcohol procedures were then carried out, and Hunkin said the man allegedly blew a result nearly three times the legal limit.
“People who drive while impaired by alcohol are putting themselves at risk, as well as everyone else on the road,” she said.
“It’s extremely concerning that people are continuing to make poor and reckless decisions such as this.”
A 30-year-old man has been charged with driving with excess breath alcohol and summonsed to appear in the Manukau District Court, with his vehicle impounded for six months.