A dramatic overnight police pursuit through Yerushalayim ended with the death of a suspected car thief after the fleeing vehicle crashed into a pole at the A-Tur Junction. A police officer and another civilian were lightly injured in the collision.
The incident unfolded overnight Tuesday into Wednesday after police received a report that a vehicle had been stolen from the Katamon neighborhood of Yerushalayim.
Patrol units from the Yerushalayim District, including officers from the Moriah, Lev Habira and Shalem police stations, began searching for the stolen vehicle and subsequently spotted it being driven through the city.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and apprehend the driver, but the suspect ignored their instructions and fled, setting off a dangerous pursuit. According to police, the driver traveled against the direction of traffic during the chase, posing a serious danger to officers, motorists and pedestrians.
As the pursuit continued and the suspect refused repeated instructions to stop, police opened targeted fire at the vehicle’s tires in an effort to bring it to a halt. The gunfire failed to stop the fleeing driver, who continued driving recklessly.
The chase ultimately came to an end at the A-Tur Junction, where the suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole as well as a private vehicle traveling in the area.
A police officer and a civilian were injured in the crash. Both were reported to be in light condition and were transported for medical treatment.
The suspected thief sustained critical injuries in the collision. Emergency personnel performed resuscitation efforts at the scene before rushing him to the hospital in critical condition.
Medical personnel later pronounced him dead from his injuries.
The identity of the suspect had not yet been established as of early Wednesday, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the theft, pursuit and fatal crash.
{Matzav.com}
