1. Clift Crescent, home to stupidity?
- An ACT Policing officer was allegedly assaulted by a motorist whilst conducting Random Breath Test duties in Richardson on Saturday afternoon, leaving him with cuts and abrasions to his face and neck.
The officer, from the Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team, was conducting RBT on Clift Crescent about 6.00pm when a driver tested positive to a roadside screening test and became aggressive.
The 36-year-old male driver, who recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.089, was arrested and will appear in court on September 21 charged with driving in excess of the prescribed concentration of alcohol, resisting police and causing harm to a Commonwealth Public Official.
In a separate incident a man was arrested in Wanniassa in the early hours of Sunday morning after the vehicle he was allegedly driving collided with a tree outside a house on Wheeler Crescent.
The male and a female were seen by nearby residents running from the collision and were apprehended by police a short time later. The male subsequently recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.136. He will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
Of the 16 drivers who tested positive to breath tests over the weekend (Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September), eight were holders of provisional or probationary licences, restricting them to a 0.02 blood alcohol level. Of more concern, a number of these drivers recorded a level in excess of 0.10, including 0.185 and 0.190.
Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations Sergeant Erin Pobar says this is a blatant and reprehensible disregard for not only the law, but the safety of other road users and the passengers travelling with the drivers.
“These drivers may feel that they are immune to the tragedy that can occur on our roads when people drink and drive and unfortunately if they continue to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol they will find out the hard way that they are not. This may be through the loss of their own life, or being responsible for the death or maiming of someone else – something they will have to live with for the rest of their life,” Sgt Pobar said.
“As I have said before, we are constantly patrolling all ACT roads conducting random breath testing in an effort to get these drivers off the roads before their stupidity ruins someone’s family. Drink drivers appear to be more concerned with avoiding police detection than they do about taking someone’s life and that is a very sad reflection on elements of our society.” she said.
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- A 15-year-old boy from the North Canberra area will appear in the ACT Children’s Court this morning charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
This follows an incident about 12.30pm yesterday at Casuarina Sands where a 14-year-old boy was assaulted. The victim received bruises and scratches as a result of the assault.
Investigations are continuing.
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- ACT Policing is investigating two collisions which occurred in Canberra’s south today around 9.30am.
The first occurred in Oldfield Circuit, Kambah where an initial assessment of the scene indicates a 33-year-old pedestrian was struck by a vehicle crushing the man against a stationary vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle is assisting police with the investigation. The pedestrian is in a critical condition in The Canberra Hospital.
The second collision occurred in Weston Creek, when a cyclist hit a stationary vehicle. He remains in The Canberra Hospital in a serious condition also.
Police would urge anyone who may have witnessed these collisions and are yet to speak with police, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police are issuing a warning to the Canberra public to show due care whilst driving in and around Canberra, as there have now been three serious collisions with the last 15 hours on Canberra’s roads, including the fatal collision at Paddy’s River overnight.
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4. Official word on the Arboretum:
- ACT Policing is investigating the theft of 138 plants from the Canberra International Arboretum over the weekend.
Between 4pm Friday and 9am Saturday unknown offenders have stolen 59 Fagus (Beech) trees and 79 Pear trees from the arboretum, valued at approximately $6,700. It is believed a vehicle was used to transport the trees from the site.
Police are seeking public assistance in an effort to locate the stolen plants, particularly any motorists travelling on the Tuggeranong Parkway who may have seen any suspicious activity.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
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- ACT Policing and other emergency services personnel are currently at the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision at Paddy’s River.
Just before 7.15pm police were advised of the single vehicle collision about two kilometres south of the Old Cotter Pub on Paddy’s River Road. Initial investigations indicate the vehicle, containing two adults and six children, left the road, went down an embankment and rolled.
A 36-year-old female passenger sustained critical injuries and died at the scene while the male driver, 37, received moderate injuries and was transported by ACT Ambulance to the Canberra Hospital. The six children received minor injuries and were also conveyed to the Canberra Hospital for treatment.
Officers from ACT Policing’s Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal traffic incident.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call Crime Stoppers.
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If you can help police contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.