(File photo) Photo: 123rf
A driver running from police has slammed into another vehicle at an intersection, leaving three people seriously injured, police say.
Officers had tried to pull a driver over on Venus Street, in the Invercargill suburb of Georgetown, about 1:40 am on Sunday, Southern District Superintendent Jason Guthrie said.
However the driver did not stop, and police did not initiate a chase.
"A short time later the vehicle travelled through the intersection of Janet and Ness Streets and collided with another vehicle...," Guthrie said.
Two people from the fleeing vehicle were badly injured - one with critical injuries, and the other with serious injuries, he said.
A person from the other vehicle was also critically injured, while another had minor injuries.
"The crash also caused damage to a property," Guthrie said.
The road remained closed late on Sunday morning, and motorists were asked to avoid the area.
The crash has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority for investigation.
Police asked for anyone who witnessed the crash or might have footage from the area at the time, to get hold of them, on their 105 number, using the reference P060341410.