An 8-km police car chase ended in a traffic cop shooting a reckless driver in the shoulder in Sha Tin Thursday, after the man crashed into several vehicles and refused to stop when flagged.
The 45-year-old man was arrested on six charges including dangerous driving, furious driving and failing to display a valid license.
Police defended the firing of the live round, adding that it was “sensible, legal and reasonable.” A 37-year-old woman, reportedly the driver’s girlfriend, and a 2-year-old child were also in the car.
During the incident, the silver Toyota car, which had an expired license, rammed into eight vehicles, including two taxis and a bus, Chief Inspector Ng Tak-nam said in a press conference.
Police investigation suggests that the driver is not the vehicle owner.
The chase began when police were carrying out a traffic enforcement operation on Tolo Highway Thursday morning.
Through a digital recognition system, the traffic cops identified a car that was being driven without a valid license and moved to pursue the vehicle.
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In the attempt to escape, the driver accelerated and sped towards Sha Tin, jumping a number of red lights on the way and crashing into a car.
At a traffic light near the Prince of Wales Hospital, two traffic cops got out of their vehicle and approached the driver’s car.
Still, the driver tried to flee, ramming into more vehicles including two taxis and a bus.
An officer on one side of the vehicle opened fire, shooting the driver in the shoulder, while another cop smashed a car window with a baton and handcuffed the injured man. He and four others who were injured were sent to hospital.
Police are investigating the case and urge witnesses of the incident to come forward with any relevant information.
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