A "maniac driver" was chased by Oamaru police at speeds up to 180kmh on Sunday morning before his car's engine blew up, bringing him to a halt in Richmond Rd, just north of Pukeuri.
A police patrol went to stop the 19-year-old disqualified driver, who had three young passengers in his car, about 6.55am on Sunday when he was weaving down Thames St.
The driver refused to stop and drove north, reaching speeds of 130kmh in Oamaru's 50kmh speed limit and up to 180kmh on State Highway 1.
When he turned into Richmond Rd the engine in his Mazda Lantis blew up, bringing the car to a sudden halt.
He was arrested by police and now faces charges of reckless driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and breaching conditions of his bail.
Senior Constable Dow, who described the driver as "more like a maniac" said he put other people at risk, including a 14-year-old girl and two boys aged 15 and 17 in the car.
During the pursuit, the driver drove on the incorrect side of the road, overtook traffic in the face of oncoming vehicles and also put pedestrians at risk.
"All this in the name of trying to evade a police car," he said.
