"I looked over and he was gone, he had tried to drive off," she said.

"One of the witnesses followed him down the road until his car putted out.

"She sent me a photo of his number plate ..."

Hansen-Galyer said she lost her leg above the knee to bone cancer when she was 16.

She said she found it difficult to ask for help but losing her car had had a huge impact on her life.

"It's like my life has come to a stop really," she said.

"I have never really been into asking people for help because I usually do things for myself.

"The other night I ran out of milk and it was like I can't even have a coffee because I can't go anywhere."

Hansen-Galyer said it had been depressing and she just wanted to get rid of the smashed car which still sits in the driveway.

She credited neighbours as being a huge support, one of whom has started a Givealittlepage to rally funds for a new car.

A police spokesman said a 28-year-old male had been summonsed to appear in the Manukau District Court later this month to face charges in relation to careless driving and excess breath alcohol.