A 30-year-old man from Munno Para in Adelaide’s north has been charged after allegedly driving a black Jeep on the wrong side of the road and crashing head-on into a police patrol car early Sunday morning. The collision occurred around 4am, sending both vehicles into a ditch.
Local resident Michael Whiteley described the impact as “enormous” and “very devastating to the police officer.” Another witness, Nathan Smith, expressed disbelief that the driver managed to escape, noting that the door appeared jammed.
Police say the Jeep driver fled on foot, leaving the injured officer trapped in the wreckage. The officer, who was alone in the patrol car, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Patrols swarmed the area and the suspect was found nearby, arrested, and taken to Lyell McEwin Hospital. Police Association spokesperson Wade Burns stated, “Our expectation is the full weight of the judicial system is thrown at the driver.”
The man faces charges including causing harm by dangerous driving and driving without a licence. He is scheduled to appear in court in July.
