Teens accept responsibility for crash that left Manawatū cop critically injured
Two teenagers have accepted responsibility for a vehicle crash in New Zealand that left a police officer critically injured. The defendants, aged 14 and 15, appeared in Youth Court where several charges were withdrawn or amended.
Why it matters
The case highlights issues regarding youth crime, police safety, and the legal handling of juvenile offenders in the justice system.
Two teenagers charged over a crash in August that left a young policeman critically ill have reappeared in the Palmerston North Youth Court. Photo / NZME
The teenagers charged after an August crash left a young policeman fighting for his life have taken responsibility for the offending, but on reduced charges.
Meanwhile, the officer’s condition has “substantially improved” and he has thanked supporters.
Two teens, 14 and 15, were arrested and charged over the crash early on August 22 as an officer deployed road spikes on Kairanga Bunnythorpe Rd, near Palmerston North.
The spikes were to stop a fleeing driver when the vehicle crashed into the police car the officer was standing behind with a colleague.
He was sent flying into another vehicle, suffering critical injuries.
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