A man police say was intoxicated has driven the wrong way down Auckland's Southern Motorway this morning, hitting cars and injuring their occupants.
Breathalyser (file photo) Photo: 123RF
The 27-year-old man first pulled onto the motorway going south in the northbound lane at Ellerslie about 6.40am.
Several cars had to avoid colliding with him, causing one to spin out at the Penrose overbridge.
The driver continued south and hit a car near the Mt Wellington on-ramp, causing that vehicle to spin. He continued and hit another car, head-on, a few metres ahead.
Three people in the second vehicle received minor injuries and were taken to Middlemore Hospital.
Police who went to the scene were amazed the injuries were not worse, as the damage to both vehicles was extensive.
Auckland acting sergeant Mark Sharman said it was incredibly lucky there were not more injuries from the incident.
The driver has been charged with driving with excess breath alcohol and dangerous driving causing injury and will appear in court on Thursday.
