- Wilhelmina Shrimpton identified the alleged driver who sideswiped her car in Kingsland.
- She used her skills as a broadcaster to search for a resolution to the incident.
- She says her insurance excess has been waived as a result.
Auckland-based journalist believes the culprit who sideswiped her car in Kingsland has been identified.
The broadcaster was out for dinner with her fianc茅 and friends in on the night of April 19.
After dining at a restaurant for a few hours, the pair found someone had sideswiped her CX5 SUV while it was parked on New North Rd.
The alleged driver left a note with only a phone number attached, telling Shrimpton they didn鈥檛 have insurance.
A witness to the crash was able to pass on the driver's number plate after Shrimpton found their post. Photo / Facebook
Shrimpton said it failed to give further information, so she decided to take matters into her own hands.
Drawing on her broadcasting experience, she got in front of the camera on Instagram as she went back 鈥渢o the scene of the crime鈥 to door-knock homes and businesses and look for clues.
She managed to obtain a number plate, which allowed her to identify the car as a .
In her latest Instagram story, Shrimpton said the alleged driver鈥檚 details were recently passed on to her insurance company.
鈥淭his week, we received a text from AA Insurance telling us our excess had indeed been waived, leading us to believe those details were true and correct.鈥
Shrimpton told the viewers her 鈥渕unched up鈥 car couldn鈥檛 be fixed until May 20. Fortunately, she鈥檚 been loaned a Volvo XC60 as a temporary replacement.
鈥淟et me tell you this, let me tell you this now: This sister sure as hell won鈥檛 be parking anytime in Kingsland.鈥
Earlier, the Kiwi broadcaster told the Herald the ordeal has highlighted just how much New Zealanders need better insurance protections to feel safe and drive confidently on the roads.
New Zealand doesn鈥檛 have compulsory vehicle insurance, largely as covers the injury-related side of costs.
Despite all the trouble, Shrimpton enjoyed making light out of the situation and talking to people who loved seeing her return to their screens.
鈥淲hen life gives you lemons, make a G&T and have a laugh.鈥
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