Nearly 700 families and businesses have spent part of today without power after a driver allegedly failed to stop for police and crashed into a power pole in Perth’s south-west.
Officers attempted to stop a red Nissan Pulsar on Verna Street in Gosnells about 9.15pm yesterday (12.15am today AEDT) but the driver allegedly avoided police.
Officers attempted to follow the Nissan but stopped the chase on Tonkin Highway due to alleged dangerous driving.
The car was found after it crashed into a power pole, which split in half from impact, on Belmont Road in Kenwick about 9.35pm.
A resident told 9News their family jumped out of bed after they heard the noise.
”We’ve come out here and there’s just a car like floating on the pole behind me,” the resident said.
”We are lucky because of the fence.”
The crash caused 700 electricity customers in Kenwick and Maddington to go without power this morning, as authorities worked to replace the power pole.
“The 30-year-old male driver was taken into custody and treated for minor injuries,” Western Australia Police said in a statement.
“A 22-year-old male passenger sustained serious injuries and was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital by St John WA.”
The 30-year-old was charged with reckless driving to escape pursuit by police, dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and no authority to drive.
