Double trouble on Queen Street
by Dylan Quinnell
An Auckland man is to undergo psychiatric testing after running down a woman outside a central city church last Sunday.
The woman, 57 year old Gwen Roberts, suffered serious injuries when she was struck while having a cigarette just after a service at the Methodist City Mission on Queen Street, Auckland.
She has now been released from hospital.
The 35 year old driver, who has interim name suppression, appeared in the Auckland District Court this week charged with dangerous driving.
He received only minor injuries in the crash.
Witnesses report seeing the white Mercedes speeding erratically up Queen Street at speeds of over 100km/h.
Apparently he ran red lights, drove on the wrong side of the road and narrowly missed hitting other pedestrians.
At the Queen Street/Wakefield traffic lights the car mounted the curb and traveled 60m, scattering people, before hitting Mrs Roberts and slamming into the Methodist City Mission, shattering the large front window.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hayden Mander said the alleged offender would reappear in Auckland District Court on August 6.