Key Takeaways
- A 23-year-old man from Newnham is in police custody, assisting with inquiries into a crash in Burnie, Tasmania
- The incident occurred when a driver allegedly fled a breath testing site and struck a pedestrian, before leaving the scene
- The pedestrian received minor injuries and was transported to hospital
- Tasmania Police are appealing for public assistance and urging anyone with information to come forward
- A separate investigation will be conducted by Professional Standards to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash
Introduction to the Incident
A serious incident occurred in Burnie, Tasmania, on Friday night, when a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle whose driver allegedly fled a breath testing site. The incident took place shortly before 10:30pm, when the driver of a white 1997 Holden Commodore station wagon refused to stop at a police breath testing site on the Bass Highway near Round Hill. The driver’s decision to evade the testing site led to a series of events that ultimately resulted in a pedestrian being struck and injured.
The Police Pursuit
Police attempted to intercept the vehicle after the driver evaded the testing site, but the Commodore continued through Burnie, ignoring the attempts of law enforcement to stop it. Minutes later, the vehicle allegedly struck a pedestrian at the intersection of Beattie Street and Payne Street, before immediately leaving the scene. The pedestrian was fortunate to have escaped serious injury, and received first aid from officers at the scene before being transported to hospital. The fact that the driver refused to stop and fled the scene has raised concerns about the potential consequences of their actions, and the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Investigation and Appeal for Public Assistance
Tasmania Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are appealing for public assistance. The police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage, or knows the location of the vehicle involved to come forward and contact Burnie Police. The white Holden Commodore station wagon, with the registration number EC3109, is still being sought by authorities, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police on 131 444, quoting reference number ESCAD 287-25122025. The police are taking the incident seriously and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the actions of the driver and the events leading up to the incident.
Update on the Investigation
In an update to the incident, a 23-year-old man from Newnham is now in police custody, assisting with inquiries into the crash. The vehicle allegedly involved in the incident was located in Burnie on Saturday morning, and the police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The fact that the driver is now in custody and cooperating with the investigation is a positive development, and it is likely that the police will be able to gather more information about the incident and the actions of the driver.
Separate Investigation by Professional Standards
Tasmania Police have confirmed that Professional Standards will conduct a separate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. This investigation will examine the actions of the police and the events leading up to the incident, including the decision to pursue the vehicle and the attempts to intercept it. The separate investigation is a standard procedure in incidents of this nature, and it will help to ensure that the police are held accountable for their actions and that any lessons learned can be applied to future incidents.
Conclusion
The incident in Burnie, Tasmania, is a serious reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to obey the law. The fact that the driver allegedly fled a breath testing site and struck a pedestrian before leaving the scene is a concerning and reckless act that could have had serious consequences. The police are taking the incident seriously and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash, and the public is urged to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation. The incident highlights the importance of community involvement in reporting incidents and assisting the police in their investigations, and it is hoped that the outcome of the investigation will provide some closure for the pedestrian and the community.
