A driver who crashed a $250,000 rare classic car allegedly tried to bite brave witnesses as they performed a citizen’s arrest after he fled the scene.
The driver was allegedly hooning through south Melbourne’s Carrum Downs in a rare 1969 Ford Falcon GT before he crashed on McCormick’s Road at about 8.30pm on November 5.
CCTV footage showed the male driver lost control of the vintage car shortly before smashing into a tree.
Despite the extensive damage done to the car, which its previous owner had painstakingly restored, the driver attempted several times to drive away.
Nearby neighbours who heard the crash, which they described as ‘the worst noise you’ve ever heard’, intervened by taking the keys out of the car’s ignition.
‘I took them out, then he couldn’t get going,’ one told 7News.
Once realising the car would not move, the driver jumped from the window – abandoning his passengers – and allegedly ran down the street.
Witnesses jumped to action and restrained the man, who allegedly tried to bite them.
A Melbourne driver has written off a rare 1969 Ford Falcon GT (pictured), which he bought five months ago for $250,000
Neighbours performed a citizen’s arrest after the male driver (pictured with two officers) allegedly tried to run from the scene
‘Tackled him with the help of one of the neighbours,’ a young woman said, adding it seemed the man had earlier been celebrating the Melbourne Cup.
Emergency crews worked to free two passengers from the crashed Ford with both taken to hospital for minor injuries.
‘The guys in the backseat, I think, were pretty shook up,’ the male neighbour, who took the driver’s keys, said.
The rare classic car was written off just five months after the driver purchased it.
Its previous owner, Reno Natale, said he was ‘in tears’ after seeing the vehicle he spent years restoring damaged beyond repair.
The driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Anyone with relevant information or footage of the crash has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
