[First filed: Mar 21, 2010 @ 9:42]
[Ed – theres more to this story than most have heard, we’re sure more will come out in the following days. The RiotACT has heard some rumors about the driver and where he was before the chase, who the occupants of the second car were and what the outcomes of this incident for the police and on certain parts of Canberra community will be. We’ll let you know more when able.]
The SMH is reporting that 4 people were killed on the Monaro highway last night after a car which was involved in a police chase hit another car carring 2 adults and a child. All occupants of the car that was hit died and the driver of the car being pursued also died and the female passanger is currently in Canberra hospital.
Very, very sad news.
[Ed – UrbanAdventure.org also sent in the below story]
Four Killed in Canberra Police chase
I was saddened to read the news that four people were killed in a car accident in Canberra as result of a car being chased by police colliding with another car. It appears that the car was chased from Queanbeyan into the ACT and collided with another car at the intersection of Canberra Ave and the Monaro Highway off ramp in Narrabundah. Three innocent victims in the second car, two adults and a baby were killed as well as the driver of the chased car. Very sad indeed.
I’m not going to discuss the rights or wrongs of police chases. I have to wonder though at the mentality of those that seek to escape from the police in such a way. The news is full of stories of the deadly ends to such police chases. I mean police have special training to drive at high speed (well I hope they do), they have radios and other police cars. They have helicopters, computers, a whole bunch of people who’s sole job in life is to catch criminals.
What makes some one think “I can outrun these people?” or “I can get away from this?” as adverse to “Oh shit this will cost me a fine or maybe my licence?” A fine can be costly yes, but usually it is a few hundred dollars and I have read that you can arrange to pay it off. Even on my next to non existent income I’d rather pay a fine than risk my, and some one else’s life. I could not imagine the guilt and grief caused by endangering some one’s life or indeed killing them.
What makes people do this? What can be done to prevent it?
I figure one option is to have police call off the chase once a number plate is recorded. Then look the driver up on a database, get their phone number and ring them (or their parents) in an effort to get them to slow down and give them the opportunity to turn themselves in. I don’t know if that would work. But it would be better than these needless deaths.
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What’s Your opinion?
Four killed in Canberra police chase
Pommy bastard said :
SMH website is now reporting that the NSW police broke off the pursuit after the stolen Mazda ran a red light. Accident occurred when the stolen car ran another red light at the Monaro Highway Canberra Ave intersection.
old canberran said :
According to the ABC (and other reports I had received last night) the police DID call off the case before the prang. Puts the whole accident into more of a perspective when the blame becomes less clouded.
I imagine these crazies get off on the adrenalin rush of a pursuit and aren’t thinking about harsher penalties etc. in the heat of the moment. They can get away if they are good enough drivers and floor the accelerator they tell themselves. The only solution is a high tech one. Track the car from satellite when the police car following get’s a position on it (then it immediately abandons chase, calls in other police cars later down the track) then send chopper over and herd the driver like a rat into his cage, so he can’t escape. Also make speed cameras and all police cars additionally register car rego numbers so that it becomes very difficult to get away with stealing a vehicle, would help with other areas of crime too. By all means bring in tougher penalties to see if it helps.
Pommy bastard said :
I totally agree, I think it’s completely narrow-minded that people instantly blame the police, when it was not them that caused the accident. I’m glad this ****wit is dead, he certainly won’t be doing it again.
I am at complete sorrow for the family that was killed, but I for one will NOT blame the police, but the scum who was fleeing.
By the way, reports are now in that the police actually DID call off the chase before the accident. What will people who are saying its not worth chasing these crooks say now?
I suggest a new siren sound be developed so those in pursuit are actually aware that the chase has stopped. Perhaps an intermittent beep-beep or something.
Very sad for all involved. I feel for the police involved in the incident – they were only doing their jobs.
Harsher penalties for stealing a vehicle, simple as that.
This is not the first time a police pursuit has ended in tragedy and I guess it won’t be the last.
This time an innocent young couple just starting family life have been violently taken from their own relatives and friends. The police really have to answer the question whether the possible apprehension of a felon is worth this high price.
It’s a simple contempt for authority that makes someone think “I can outrun these people?” I hope this Morons family and friends all rot in hell knowing their mate killed 3 innocent people because he was an imbecile. As for the female passenger what was she doing there I wonder?
What a very sad tragedy indeed. Absolutely feel for the families involved.
The police should (I do mean should, not do/can/are) be able to tap into computers in cars (imaginary database/remote system) in this day and age to ‘kill’ them dead, not innocent people.
Not justifiable by any means. A precious family, gone.
Heavs said :
It must have been a particularly stupid, uncaring, piece of s**t to push this chase to the limit where people are now dead.
I’m glad the driver of the car being chased died, the world is better off without him.
I feel sorry for the police drivers who are going to catch flack for this, for doing their best to protect us.
This is yet another sad story and innocent lives taken before they should be… All because of a dirt bag that has probably been before the Court several times and slapped on the wrist. There is not right or wrong in police pursuits, police do everything in their power to uphold the law and put criminals before the courts day in day out..
It then becomes another story in itself when they step before these magistrates who have no idea when it comes to rights, life, victims, law and punishment.
I like this comment above, however i would say and most people who live in Canberra would know that these people who run from police are using stolen cars, so getting a registration and checking it back later, would be nothing but a waste of time.
My heart goes out to this innocent family taken from life so shortly because of a piece of garbage, yes piece of garbage. Im only saying what every other person who reads this tragic story is thinking…
People die because of lifes trash called criminals and they do just that, break the law and in certain circumstances, like last night, they KILL someone, or several. When are the innocent going to be protected by the people who ruin it day in day out called “The COURTS”.. Make these robe hiding idiots accountable for their actions, they are a disgrace to all law abiding, helpless individuals.
NSW have started a smart idea, which every normal Joe Bloggs would have discussed over a few beers, “If you run from Police, you will get 2 years MINIMUM jail time – NO QUESTIONS ASKED”… Not that hard is it Courts.
I wonder if one of the families killed where someone who created one of those crappy artworks around Canberra would that make Stanhope stand up and fight for a change in laws, NO its just another (ANOTHER) INNOCENT family killed because its easier to pay a fine from running from Police, than it is to getting away.
Police are on this planet to capture criminals, how many victims out there have had the best feeling when a criminal who has done them wrong, been arrested. Then ask these people how they feel a few months later when the courts just let them walk..
Canberrans have seen this not that long ago, when a druggy ran from police in Woden and killed a lady, i beg you all to look into this, same circumstances, same scenario, but in Melbourne when a man did exactly the same thing, ran from police killed an elderly man. Down to the same day as the Canberran going before the court (mind you she breached her bail a few times, he didnt), the verdict, Canberra lady NO CHARGE (are you serious) Melbourne man SEVEN count them, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, years, now where is the Justice there…
Canberrans PLEASE wake up before more people have to die before Stanhope gets of his well paid, fat arse and get him to do something, except for putting up crappy art work, stuffing up the GDE and paying $$$$ for nothing.
The problem with getting their number plates is, mainly if they are running from the Police, they are in a stolen car, or don’t have registration, 9 times out of 10, the car isn’t or hasn’t been registered to the person driving.
So unless they are recognised as being the driver, there is no way of knowing who is actually at the wheel until it stops.
Why do people do it?
They want to tell their mates they just outrun the Police…
Should we ban pursuits, hell no, if crims are know that all it takes is getting in a car and driving off from Police, how many people will actually be apprehended?
Must have been a valuable car that was stolen to make it worth four lives.
one option is to have police call off the chase once a number plate is recorded. Then look the driver up on a database, get their phone number and ring them (or their parents) in an effort to get them to slow down and give them the opportunity to turn themselves in. I don’t know if that would work. But it would be better than these needless deaths
This presumes that the registered owners of the car have anything to do with the chase. You do realise that a huge proportion of cars involved in such chases are stolen and/or being driven by joyriders?