A man led authorities on a 27-minute chase where he drove dangerously, weaving through traffic, and even driving on the sidewalk to avoid police efforts to stop him. The police eventually cornered him between two vehicles, and with the help of a police helicopter, he was apprehended. The suspect, identified as Brian Smith, was arrested after officers smashed his car windows and used a Taser to subdue him.
Smith, 47, was driving a stolen vehicle in Fishponds, Bristol, hitting speeds of up to 80mph in a 30mph zone during the pursuit. He was sentenced to 16 months in jail after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and uninsured, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
The chase unfolded on September 2, with Smith being spotted by PC Dan Hamblin of the Avon and Somerset Police’s roads policing unit. Hamblin described Smith’s actions as some of the most reckless and dangerous driving he had witnessed. Fortunately, no one was harmed during the incident.
The dashcam footage of the chase was widely shared on social media, garnering over 742,000 views, 33,300 likes, and 400 comments from astonished viewers. Many praised the police officers for their handling of the situation and expressed relief that no one was injured.