Accused in chase, crash drama faces 11 charges

A man who was Tasered after allegedly crashing a stolen car while drunk during a full-scale police pursuit near Pakipaki is facing 11 charges arising from the incident.

Matthew Hemi Timu, 36, appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday following the car chase last Friday that was sparked by an alleged domestic dispute about midday.

It's understood police were called to a domestic dispute at an Anderson Rd address near Pakipaki before Timu allegedly fled in a green Nissan van.

Police pursued the van for about 6km along Mangaroa Rd and later on to Pakipaki Rd where it's claimed he ignored oncoming traffic and turned right on to the highway, south towards Pakipaki.

Witnesses said three cars travelling in the opposite direction were forced to brake suddenly to avoid colliding with the van, resulting in a three-vehicle nose-to-tail collision. Timu's car ended upside down straddling a ditch and a fence.

He was later Tasered after allegedly resisting arrest.

In court yesterday he entered no plea to charges of assault, reckless driving, driving while disqualified, drink-driving, failing to stop, three counts of breaching protection orders, theft of a motor vehicle, assaulting police and resisting arrest.

He was remanded in custody.