Suspected 'very drunk' driver who staggered from borough pub was only stopped by collision with police car after pursuit into Kent. Watch dramatic and dangerous pursuit! He has been jailed for 16 months for 'horrifying piece of dangerous driving'
A DISQUALIFIED driver who left the scene of a collision in South Ockendon and then refused to stop for police has been jailed.
Essex roads policing officers, supported by Kent colleagues, tracked the driver across two counties before stopping him as he tried to evade them on a busy 'A' road.
During a carefully controlled 20-minute pursuit from Aveley, the driver failed to stop for officers and put other road users at risk.
However, as he tried to leave the A2 in Kent he collided with a marked police car and was quickly arrested.
Watch the dramatic pursuit:-
Harmash Bunger asked officers why he was being arrested at the scene and refused to provide a specimen of breath for a roadside alcohol test.
Following the incident on Friday 21 March, 47-year-old Bunger was charged with:
- Dangerous driving
- Failing to stop at the scene of an accident
- Refusing to provide a specimen for analysis
- Driving while disqualified
- Driving with no insurance
- Careless driving
- Failing to stop when requested by an officer
When he appeared at court on 23 April he admitted all seven offences.
The court heard that prior to the pursuit Bunger had failed to stop at the scene of a collision involving a moped in Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon.
Witnesses reported that Bunger had been seen leaving a South Ockendon pub and had told police they thought he was "very drunk" and that he was "stumbling and falling over".
Bunger had got into a VW Golf and less than 10 minutes later collided with a moped rider, who was thrown from his bike. Thankfully only suffering minor injuries.
Roads policing officers spotted the Golf and indicated for the driver to pull over, he refused and drove away after colliding with officer's car. Officers then initiated the pursuit.
On Friday, 23 May at Basildon Crown Court Bunger, of River Drive, Strood, Kent, was jailed for 16 months for the driving offences. He was disqualified from driving for 44 months and ordered to take an extended driving test.
Adam Pipe, head of Roads Policing in Essex, said: "This is a particularly horrifying piece of dangerous driving which put other roads users at risk.
"Bunger has displayed a flagrant disregard for the safety of himself and others.
"After making a poor decision to break the law and get behind the wheel, he then collided with a moped driver before continuing to drive in a way which put further road users' lives at risk.
"He ignored officers repeated attempts to stop him from driving and this criminal behaviour was only stopped by officers' quick reactions as he attempted to exit the A2.
"Somebody could have easily been killed or seriously injured as a direct result of his actions.
"We will not tolerate this type of driving in Essex and, let me be clear, we will ensure anyone who breaks the law on our roads is brought before the courts."
Share:
