Man wanted by police falls asleep at traffic lights for 20 minutes

The same vehicle allegedly evaded police earlier in the day.

Driving can tire even the best of us and for one man it proved too much as he fell asleep at the wheel after stopping at a red traffic light, with a search now underway after he evaded police who attended the scene.

The Mercedes driver as well as his passenger fell asleep at the traffic lights for 20 minutes on a busy road in Melbourne's southeast on Monday afternoon, causing congestion to build up. Fellow motorists contacted the police who arrived at Belgrave-Hallam Road alongside an ambulance crew.

The man asleep at the traffic lights in his Mercedes (left). Onlookers watched on as congestion built up on the road (right).
The man was asleep at the traffic lights on a busy road in Melbourne's southeast for 20 minutes. Source: 7News

Victoria Police told Yahoo News paramedics woke the driver and he was urged to turn off his engine and get out of the car, however, he did not follow instructions. A video from 7 News shows a police officer shouting, "Turn it off! Do not... Get out the car!", before the vehicle sped off.

It is understood no one thought to block the car and the driver managed to get away from police officers, paramedics and fellow motorists who stood nearby. An investigation is now underway to find the driver.

Man evaded police twice in same day

Victoria Police told Yahoo News the same vehicle had evaded police earlier in the day, however, no further details were shared.

Police are now encouraging any witnesses to come forward or anyone that captured footage via their dashcam or CCTV footage to urgently contact Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online.

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