The mother of a Tokoroa teenager seriously injured in what the police say was a deliberate hit-and-run says her son had tyre marks on his back.
Police say 15-year-old Seth Tera was chased for several blocks early on Saturday morning before being deliberately run down.
He suffered severe head and chest injuries and is in Waikato Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
His mother, Liz Tera, says his entire body was run over. She also rubbishes suggestions that it was a gang initiation ceremony.
Tokoroa High School teacher Billy Maea says Seth Tera is the nicest boy you could ever meet, and is loved throughout the school.
An 18-year-old man arrested at a rural Rotorua property on Sunday appeared in the Tokoroa District Court on Monday charged with attempted murder, and was remanded in custody for two weeks.
A 17-year-old from Mangakino and an 18-year-old from Rotorua have been charged with assault over the incident. The men will appear in court on Wednesday.
Police have seized a four-wheel-drive vehicle they believe was used in the incident.
