In a dramatic incident in Perth’s western suburbs, two police officers sustained injuries, and their vehicle was rendered unusable after a high-speed chase involving a 29-year-old driver, Joshua Rowson. The chaotic scene unfolded on a Thursday night in Churchlands, where Rowson allegedly fled police with two children in the back seat of his Holden Commodore.
The chase began around 10:40 PM when Rowson reportedly failed to stop for police on Pearson Road. After reaching a dead end, he attempted to escape by ramming into parked cars, causing significant damage. One resident, Elizabeth Ogilvie, noted the commotion outside her home just as her family was settling down for the night. Another neighbour, Vanessa, observed multiple police vehicles racing through the area during the incident.
CCTV footage captured Rowson’s reckless actions; he is accused of ramming a police car before reversing into another parked vehicle, pushing yet another car to the side. Witnesses described the situation as chaotic, with Ogilvie commenting on the sound of the collisions. Rowson was arrested at the scene and subsequently appeared in court.
Authorities reported that he was allegedly driving at speeds exceeding the limit by 50 km/h and on the wrong side of the road while carrying the two children in the car. Following the incident, two police officers were treated for injuries including whiplash and pain in their necks, backs, and shoulders, necessitating medical attention. The complete destruction of the police vehicle underscores the incident’s severity, signalling the risks police officers face while performing their duties.