New Zealand tradie accidentally smashes his work van into a Tesla owner’s garage – leaving him with an enormous bill for damages

Startling CCTV footage has captured the dramatic moment a tradie’s work van careened off the road and into a Tesla owner’s garage in New Zealand. 

Rob Johnson’s $80,000 Tesla Model Y needs bodywork after a work van did a 180-degree turn off the road and slammed into his garage in Auckland on Monday morning.

He was left with $20,000 worth of repairs for his prized possession and garage.

He was ‘bloody frustrated’ after police officers initially wanted to go easy on the driver, who was a first-time offender, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Officers called Mr Johnson on Wednesday asking if they could give the driver a diversion – typically used for minor offences – so that a conviction could be avoided.

Mr Johnson, who was not home at the time of the crash, got a call from his wife telling him that ‘there had been a bit of a bang and the garage door was gone’.

When he returned, the damage was ‘way worse’ than he expected.

Mr Johnson told the publication that despite having insurance, he still had to ‘fork out some money, which can be claimed back.

Rob Johnson’s $80,000 Tesla Model Y has been left with a $20,000 repair bill and was left ‘frustrated’ and ‘disappointed’ when New Zealand Police wanted to let the driver off lightly 

Mr Johnson was ‘disappointed’ with police who wanted to let the tradie off lightly.

‘What’s a diversion? I’m a bit old school and I believe in consequences, not wet bus tickets,’ he said. 

‘[Until I got home] I didn’t realise the back end of the garage had gone. He shunted the car, which weighs about a tonne and a half, about a metre.’

Although his beloved Model Y was still drivable and sustained minimal damage, the price to fix Mr Johnson’s garage accounted for most of his repair costs. 

Although Mr Robinson’s $80,000 Tesla was still drivable he said he still believes that the driver should face the consequences

Mr Johnson wants the tradie charged.

‘As far as I’m concerned, [the police] have got to do something about it and charge him with dangerous driving or something,’ he said. 

Mr Johnson must agree to a diversion in order for police to provide one.

If the tradie was given a diversion, they would owe Mr Johnson a letter of apology and be forced to sit a defensive driving course.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted New Zealand Police for comment.