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More charges laid after pedestrians allegedly run down outside uni

Author
Raphael Franks ,
Publish Date
Fri, 28 Mar 2025, 9:09am
Emergency services were called just after midday on Monday. Photo / Michael Craig
Emergency services were called just after midday on Monday. Photo / Michael Craig

More charges laid after pedestrians allegedly run down outside uni

Author
Raphael Franks ,
Publish Date
Fri, 28 Mar 2025, 9:09am

More charges have been laid after pedestrians were allegedly run down by a vehicle outside Auckland University鈥檚 engineering school. 

The 20-year-old driver is due to make his first appearance in the Auckland District Court this morning. 

He is facing a charge of possessing a drug utensil, possessing four cannisters of nitrous oxide, two charges of carelessly operating a vehicle, and a further three charges of operating a vehicle carelessly and causing injuries, court documents show. 

Police initially charged him with the three counts of careless driving causing injury when he was arrested on Tuesday. 

 He was bailed to his home address. 

Five people were treated for injuries after the crash outside Auckland University's engineering school. Photo / Michael Craig
Five people were treated for injuries after the crash outside Auckland University's engineering school. Photo / Michael Craig 

One person was left fighting for their life after the crash outside the Engineering School on Symonds St on Monday. 

Acting Inspector Scott Jones, the Auckland City road policing manager, said the critically injured man had stabilised in hospital and his condition was updated to serious. 

The 20-year-old driver was also forbidden to drive. 

Jones said the police investigation was continuing and more charges against the driver were possible. 

Students look on as emergency services attend  Monday's accident outside the university on Symonds St. Photo / Michael Craig
Students look on as emergency services attend Monday's accident outside the university on Symonds St. Photo / Michael Craig 

On the day of the incident, student Stephen Dimapilis said he saw a car allegedly swerving wildly from side to side along the street. 

鈥淚 just thought he was going to turn so I didn鈥檛 think much of it,鈥 he told the Herald. 

But he soon heard a big bang and turned around and saw people on the ground. 

鈥淥ne person was under the car. I only saw two people lying on the ground, but I heard it was five people. I didn鈥檛 know what to think of it,鈥 he said. 

Dimapilis said he saw the second person fly through the air after they were hit by the car. 

Another witness claimed the car was driving at speed before it veered off the road and struck multiple people scrambling to get out of the way. 

鈥淟ots of students jumped out of the way but some got hit bad,鈥 they said. 

The University of Auckland said it was supporting those who were injured and witnessed the incident with counselling services available for all who need them. 

鈥淲e know that incidents like this can be upsetting, especially for those who were witnesses, and we want to make sure everyone in our community feels supported.鈥 

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news and local stories from T膩maki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022. 

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