Driver hits 150mph with child, 3, sat on passenger's knee before smash in police chase

A reckless driver hit a terrifying 150mph with a three-year-old child perched on a passenger's knee before crashing into a lamppost during a police chase.

The high-speed pursuit began when officers from Greater Manchester Police started tailing the Audi A3 along Bury New Road in Heywood on Tuesday evening, May 14, at around 6.57pm.

Ignoring police signals to stop, the driver led the cops on a wild chase through Rochdale, towards Whitworth and then back into Rochdale again, hitting speeds of up to 150mph before colliding with a lamppost on Bentley Street at approximately 7.10pm. Both the driver and another male occupant were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and possession with intent to supply class B drugs after cannabis was found inside the car.

Shockingly, during the chase, a three year old child was discovered in the vehicle, sitting on the passenger's knee, while a dog was also found in the Audi. The child has since been taken into police protection, GMP confirmed, with the dog seized for its own safety and the car impounded by officers, reports the Mirror.

Inspector Richard Shelton, from the Rochdale district, commented: "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."

The statement from Greater Manchester Police read: "Officers have been involved in a high-speed pursuit of an Audi A3 that reached speeds of up to 150mph.

"The pursuit began on Bury New Road, Heywood at around 6:57pm on Tuesday 14 May 2024. The vehicle was pursued through Rochdale, towards Whitworth and then back into Rochdale.

"The offending vehicle reached speeds of 150mph and ended up crashing into a lamp post on Bentley Street in Rochdale at 7:10pm. 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."

"Inside the vehicle cannabis was discovered. During the pursuit, a three-year-old child was inside the vehicle sat on the passenger's knee.

"A dog was also inside the vehicle. The child has been taken into police protection. The dog has been seized for its own protection and the car seized."

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