An Auckland man facing 12 months in a wheelchair after a patrol car ran over his leg during a pursuit wants an apology from police.
Mark Felts, 37, said he was injured in a chase in Manurewa, south Auckland, in mid-November, leaving him crippled and in agony.
He said he came of the Southern Motorway off-ramp to find spike strips, police cars, and officers pointing tasers.
Inspector Dave Glossop of Counties Manukau Police confirmed the incident, and said that the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
He declined to comment on the specifics of the case as Mr Felt would be appearing before the courts on a raft of charges.
"The person in question we're alleging was driving a stolen vehicle. He was stopped to be spoken to. He did stop initially but then took off, failed to stop for police, drove over road spikes," he said.
"He is alleged to have driven recklessly, so much so that the pursuit was abandoned but was being observed by the Eagle helicopter.
"He was then seen to dump the stolen vehicle and from that point on the police have affected an arrest."
He said no officer had been stood down over the incident and CCTV footage from the police helicopter had been given to the IPCA.
Mark Felts said a car skidded across his leg while he was on the ground with his hands behind his back. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Mr Felts said that during the arrest, an officer pulled out a taser and ordered him to get on the ground and put his hands behind his back, which he did.
"About three or four seconds later another cop car came racing in, skidded across my leg and snapped my leg in two places and crushed my ankle."
He said he floated in and out of consciousness for three days while in hospital.
"It was just my worst nightmare pretty much. I couldn't believe that this had happened to me."
A week after being discharged, he was re-admitted to Middlemore Hospital after his wounds became infected.
He was told there was a 90 percent chance he'd lose his leg, but after regaining movement in his toes he said doctors told him they were hopeful he'd be able to walk again.
Doctors told Mark Felts he might never walk again after the injury became infected, but he has since regained some feeling and movement. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
His leg remains heavily bandaged with a steel rod and two plates hold his leg together.
"I've still got a long recovery, I've still got 12 months at least in a wheelchair and a lot of hard work to get my muscles and nerves that have been damaged back to a standard where I can walk."
Mr Felts said he accepted responsibility for the police case, and was prepared to face court in January, but wanted an apology from police.
"I want some compensation. My kids have missed out on Christmas, every year I always give my family a good Christmas. I always make sure I look after my family, I love my kids, I love my life, but they've taken it away."
