A 42-year-old driver has been arrested after allegedly hitting a police officer while trying to avoid a breath-testing site at Bacchus Marsh last night.
As part of Operation Roadwise, Moorabool Highway Patrol members were running a random breath-testing site on “The Avenue of Honour” about 8.25pm.
They have noticed the Ford Falcon ute stop short of the site to avoid the operation.
The vehicle then approached the site and was waved into a testing lane, when the driver has allegedly suddenly accelerated.
The police officer attempted to jump out of the road however his leg was struck as the vehicle was fleeing.
It’s alleged the vehicle travelled on the wrong side of the road at excessive speeds while driving from the site, causing numerous vehicles to take evasive action.
Officers conducted patrols of the area in attempt to locate the driver however they lost site of the vehicle.
A short time later, a member of the public reported a vehicle had driven into a paddock near Lord Street and became bogged.
The Wyndham Vale man was arrested at the scene where it was discovered he was driving while disqualified.
He underwent a breath-test, returning an alleged reading of .035 and also tested positive to methylamphetamine.
He was charged with 17 offences including disqualified driving, drink driving and endangering an emergency services worker with vehicle.
The struck police officer was lucky to escape with minor injuries.
Police are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone with CCTV/dash cam footage that may have come across this vehicle, particularly along the “The Avenue of Honour” between the Western Freeway off-ramp between and Lord Street or along McGrath Street.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
