A South Australian couple took matters into their own hands after an alleged hit-and-run driver collided with their brand-new vehicle and fled the scene. Sloane Abraham and Rob Butvila were returning to Adelaide from Melbourne, having just purchased a new BYD ute, when an unlicensed driver reportedly ran a red light on Fullarton Rd in Fullarton, crashing into their car before speeding away.
Couple's Pursuit Against Police Advice
The couple immediately dialled triple-0 but made the decision to follow the alleged offender despite police advice to the contrary. They tracked the suspect for more than 30 minutes until officers intervened and pulled the vehicle over. A 21-year-old man behind the wheel of a Nissan was reported for driving unlicensed and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. He is due to face court at a later date.
Motivation for the Chase
Butvila explained that their decision to pursue the driver was driven by concern for public safety. "I was trying to express to the operator on triple-0, the driver is going to hurt someone," he told 7NEWS. Abraham added that while the incident was shocking, the important thing was that no one was injured. "I was really sad, but we're all OK," she said.
Police Response and Warning
Police acknowledged the couple's courage but issued a warning against such actions. They stated that while they admire those who stand up for themselves and others, they do not want to see people placed at unnecessary risk. Authorities urge anyone who is not trained to think carefully before acting and not to take the law into their own hands.
