Audi driver hit 150mph with child, 3, on passenger's knee before lamppost crash

An Audi driver has been arrested after hitting speeds of 150mph while a three-year-old child sat on a passengers knee before smashing into a lamppost.

Police following the Audi A3 last night (May 14) and a high-speed chase followed after the "reckless" driver failed to stop. The pursuit began shortly before 7pm and the vehicle was driven from Heywood to Rochdale and then towards Whitworth before returning to Rochdale.

Officers said the driver reached speeds of 150mph before ploughing into a lamppost on Bentley Street at around 7.10pm. Cannabis was also uncovered inside the car.

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The driver, an adult man, and the other occupant, another adult man, were both arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and possession with intent to supply class B drugs. During the pursuit, a three-year-old child was inside the vehicle sat on the passenger’s knee.

A dog was also inside the speeding Audi at the time. No injuries were reported in the collision.

The child has since been taken into police protection, GMP confirmed, with the dog seized for its own protection and the car also taken away by officers.

Inspector Richard Shelton, of our Rochdale district, said: "This is extremely dangerous levels of offending and I’m thankful to report that no one was hurt during this pursuit. The reckless actions of these offenders have put a three-year-old child at risk, as well as members of the public going about their daily business.

"The speeds reached are beyond unacceptable and I am pleased that our officers acted swiftly to secure these arrests, bring the child into police protection and seize the vehicle."