The 46-year-man was driving along Andersons Bay Rd in Dunedin when he crashed at about 1am on Thursday, driving into a tree on the centre barrier.
“His iPhone activated the emergency function and called police advising us of the crash,” Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said.
The driver spoke to the 111 operator telling them that police “should not worry about it”.
But because the man sounded heavily intoxicated, a police patrol car was sent to the scene.
Officers found the suspected drink-driver, who was less than pleased to see them.
He allegedly pushed at police as they began drink-driving procedures, and refused a blood sample being taken.
He was charged with refusing a blood sample and assaulting police, and will appear in court on February 16.