2 Traffic Police officers on roadblock duty injured in pursuit of driver
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — A 43-year-old man, who was driving without a licence, was arrested on Friday (June 2) after he tried to flee from a road block, and two Traffic Police officers who gave chase were later injured and sent to hospital.
This comes a day after a Traffic Police officer, Staff Sergeant Nadzrie Matin, 29, was killed in the line of duty.
The police said in a press release that officers were conducting a road block along Mackenzie Road, off Selegie Road, at about 1am when they came across the man.
When officers asked for his driving licence, the man drove off and beat red lights along the way. He also drove against the flow of traffic along Portsdown Road towards Normanton Road.
TODAY understands that the black vehicle the man was driving had collided into the Traffic Police vehicle that was pursuing him outside Normanton Park condominium and crashed through the barrier of the property.
Even after the pursuit, the man put up a violent struggle that left the two Traffic Police officers with minor injuries.
He was eventually detained and arrested for evading a road block, dangerous driving, driving without a licence and other driving and suspected drug-related offences.
The 34-year-old female passenger in his car was also arrested for suspected consumption of controlled drugs, and drug-related paraphernalia was seized from the car.
TODAY understands that the two officers were sent to the nearby National University Hospital but has since been discharged and were given a few days of medical leave.
The male driver and his passenger were not hurt.
The police are now investigating the case.
If convicted of dangerous driving, the man can be fined up to S$3,000 or jailed up to 12 months, or both, for the first offence. He can be fined up to S$5,000 or jailed up to two years, or both, for the second or subsequent offence.
For evading a road block, he could be fined up to S$5,000 or jailed up to 12 months, or both.
In the accident earlier on Thursday, Staff Sergeant Nadzrie was performing traffic patrol duties at about 10.40am when he got into an accident involving a van along Serangoon Road.
He was sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital but died from his injuries.
The 52-year-old driver of the van was arrested yesterday for a negligent act causing death.
