Stolen car hits learner driver
AN L-PLATER’S driving lesson took an alarming turn on Thursday when a stolen car crashed head-on into the innocent driver, sparking a foot chase through bushland.
Two teenagers and a 25-year-old man allegedly inside the stolen Mitsubishi Pajero ran from the wreck, but were arrested after police set up a cordon in Condon and closed in.
The chaos started in Gulliver after the stolen car was spotted driving along Beck Drive.
The Pajero was stolen overnight on Wednesday when thieves allegedly broke into a house and stole the car keys from a bedside table while the homeowner was sleeping.
The car was among nine stolen and 25 homes or businesses broken into on Wednesday night.
Police laid out stingers and successfully punctured the car’s tyres, but the car continued along the road and collided head-on with a small hatchback.
The car that was hit was being driven by a 19-year-old learner driver who was on a driving lesson with a 31-year-old instructor.
The car, branded with PCYC decals, was significantly damaged in the crash and its bonnet was ripped almost completely off its hinges.
The stolen car veered off the road and came to a stop in bushland about 30m from the other car.
Luckily, the teenage girl and her driving instructor were not seriously injured in the accident.
Police set up a cordon, called in the dog squad and set about beginning to track down the three accused.
A 25-year-old man, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were arrested nearby.
The Heatley man and both the teenagers have been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary and commit indictable offence.
The adult has been denied watch house bail and will face Townsville Magistrates Court today.
The 17-year-old boy has been denied bail and will face Townsville Children’s Court soon.
The 15-year-old boy was granted police bail.