Dramatic Police Pursuit Captured on Camera
Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin became the unexpected endpoint of a wild police chase when an alleged dangerous driver abandoned his vehicle and dove headfirst into the water. The ACT Magistrates Court has released dramatic dash cam footage showing the half-hour pursuit that unfolded across the territory in April 2025.
Thirty-nine-year-old John Warren Westaway faces multiple charges following the incident that began due to an outstanding NSW warrant. The court viewed footage of a black Ford Ranger towing a trailer with a black Toyota Hilux mounted on it, weaving through traffic at high speeds.
Reckless Driving Endangers Public
The video evidence presented earlier this month shows the vehicle engaging in multiple dangerous maneuvers. Special Magistrate Lucinda Wilson expressed grave concerns about the potential consequences of Westaway's alleged actions.
"Any of those pedestrians or pushbike riders and any of those drivers lawfully using the road could have been harmed or killed by the defendant's conduct," Magistrate Wilson stated after viewing the footage.
The pursuit involved the vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road, against traffic, across grass areas, and even using pedestrian and bike paths during the thirty-minute chase.
Multiple Charges and Previous Offences
Westaway currently faces several serious charges including: aggravated dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm, and driving with a prescribed drug in his system. He has not yet entered pleas to these charges.
The accused man is also dealing with separate aggravated burglary charges dating back to 2019, which he has denied. Following the April pursuit, Westaway has been remanded in custody and will return to court at a later date.
The dramatic conclusion of the chase saw Westaway abruptly stop his vehicle and plunge into Lake Burley Griffin before eventually being arrested by police.
