A dangerous high speed pursuit reaching speeds up to 200 kilometres per hour through Victoria’s North East came to an end on Thursday morning when the alleged driver crossed the border into NSW and simply pulled over.
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But the 24-year-old Deer Park man quickly learned the state border did not protect him from being charged – he will face offences from both Albury and Wodonga police.
He not only put himself at risk with the alleged high speeds, but his three passengers including two adult women and a three-year-old girl.
A truck driver called police about 7am when he was passed by the speeding Subaru Liberty heading north along the Hume Freeway at Benalla.
Wangaratta police called off the pursuit at Springhurst because speeds were too dangerous, but Wodonga Highway Patrol officers were waiting further up the road at Barnawartha.
Sergeant Larry Goldsworthy said police could not use stop sticks to deflate the tyres and the car got away into NSW.
“It is a dangerous speed to be going at, the road was just starting to get damp so the potential for danger was quite high,” he said.
“You’d like to think people would be more responsible than that – to have a child in the car is a bit disappointing.”
The man was expected to be extradited to Victoria and charged with conduct endangering life, possession of a stolen vehicle and other traffic matters.
Albury Detective Inspector Winston Woodward said the man would also face pursuit charges in NSW.
He said he was pleased nobody was hurt from circumstances involving high speeds during peak hour traffic and a suspected stolen car with made-up number plates.
“The gentleman, once he did cross into NSW, did slow his speeds to 40km/h, suggesting that he was having second thoughts about travelling any further, and has stopped over the Borella Road overpass,” he said.
“We apologise to members of the public, but I assure them that all safety concerns are taken in place when we do have them passing serious scenes.”
Police said the pursuit was an example of cross-border communication between the states.
“We work together - we do business a lot differently these days,” Inspector Woodward said. “Whether you commit offences on the Victorian side of the border or in NSW, we will bring you before the courts.”
