Officer injured in high-speed chase
Update: A policeman is receiving treatment for head injuries after a pursuit in Perth ended with his car careering into power pole so fast that it snapped in half.
The police union said the 42-year-old officer was being treated after his car was allegedly rammed into the pole in Clarkson about 11am.
Officers had been pursuing a stolen vehicle at speeds of up to 130km/h, according to the union and witnesses.
Union president George Tilbury said while the injury to the officer was disturbing, the new laws cracking down on motorists who attempted to outrun police in WA were already working, just 36 hours after becoming active.
At least three people have already been arrested under the laws after they officially began yesterday, with arrests in Baldivis and Success today.
A 23-year-old man has been charged over the Baldvis pursuit.
About midday, police attempted to stop a stolen Holden Commodore utility in Waikiki.
The driver failed to stop and police pursued the vehicle through Cooloongup, Baldivis, Warnbro, Shoalwater, Safety Bay and Rockingham.
The vehicle stopped briefly on Gnangara Road in Waikiki after colliding with a police vehicle.
A female passenger run from the car but was apprehended by police.
The 23-year-old continued to evade police before he abandoned the vehicle on Parkin Street in Rockingham.
The driver then allegedly ran from police and was arrested a short time later.
The man has been charged with stealing a motor vehicle and drive recklessly, attempting to steal a motor vehicle, aggravated reckless driving, two counts of assault to prevent arrest, aggravated failing to stop and no authority to drive.
A Kununurra man was also charged just three hours after the new legislation took effect.
“It’s about time these idiots who fail to stop and continue to drive in a reckless manner, putting the lives of the community at risk, will be sent to jail ...,” Mr Tilbury said.
“I believe there will be a drop in the number of offenders trying to escape police once the harsh reality of prison time sinks in.”
The new laws mean a mandatory minimum 12-month jail term will await any driver who tries to escape police and then engages in dangerous driving that causes death or serious injury.
Drivers who cause bodily harm while driving recklessly during a police chase will also face six months in jail.
