Dashcam footage captured from within a vehicle depicts the dramatic moment it crashed after speeding through Sydney’s affluent suburbs. The incident occurred late on a Sunday night around 11.20pm when police attempted to pull over a speeding Toyota Yaris on Hopetoun Avenue in Vaucluse. The driver, however, failed to comply, leading to a police pursuit that was ultimately abandoned due to safety concerns.
As the chase unfolded, the car reportedly went the wrong way down a one-way street and navigated a curve before crashing through a fence in Watsons Bay. Officers were in close proximity during the chase, and shortly after the crash, the 18-year-old driver and three other teenagers exited the vehicle. A local resident recounted the experience, recalling a loud crash followed by aggressive police commands to vacate the car.
The driver was treated on the scene for minor injuries before being taken to hospital, while the other teenagers were unharmed. Consequently, the 18-year-old was taken to Waverley Police Station, facing several charges including excessive speeding, driving while his licence was suspended, and reckless police pursuit. He has since been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in Downing Centre Local Court next month.
While police asserted that their pursuit was terminated for safety reasons, the newly surfaced footage challenges this narrative. A marked police car with flashing lights was present at the crash site, raising questions about the timing of the pursuit’s cessation. While law enforcement claims no procedural breaches were noted, the police have announced a further review of the incident given the revelations from the dashcam footage.