Fatal crash driver wanted to "punish police"

Photo: BEN WATSON

SMASH: One of the vehicles involved in a multiple-vehicle crash on Auckland's North Shore.

Photo: BEN WATSON

CHARGED: Cornelius Klein, 50, appeared in North Shore District Court today charged with dangerous driving after a multi-car pile-up in an industrial suburb just south of Albany yesterday afternoon.

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LATEST: The man police alleged rammed a patrol car before his vehicle rolled on top of another vehicle, killing an elderly driver, told police he wanted to punish them for passing him and driving too fast.

Cornelius Klein, 50, appeared in North Shore District Court today charged with dangerous driving after a multi-car pile-up in an industrial suburb just south of Albany yesterday afternoon.

During the crash eight vehicles were damaged, including a patrol car.

Police said in the summary of facts at court today that Klein chased the police car and got up to 90kmh, and had rammed it deliberately because it had earlier passed him.

The police car was responding to an earlier call from a passenger in Klein's car who demanded to be let out because of the speed he was driving at and his screaming and yelling and threats to commit suicide.

Police also said that as the patrol car passed the Jeep Cherokee being driven by Klein, he gave them a one-fingered gesture before chasing the police car and ramming it as it waited with its lights flashing and siren on for traffic to clear at an intersection.

Klein has been remanded in custody until February 12 without plea and ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment.