A 30-year-old Hawker man has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly driving at three police officers near the National Arboretum yesterday, Sunday 11 July.
At 2.50pm, the officers were conducting a routine traffic stop near Forrest Drive, near the intersection of Lady Denman Drive, and had just stopped a Toyota Aurion.
The officers were standing between the Aurion and the police car when a Ford Laser sedan approached from the road, driving directly at the officers, and hit all three of them.
A male leading constable from ACT Policing was thrown onto the bonnet of his car and suffered back and head injuries.
A female constable was also thrown onto the bonnet of the car and landed on the ground sustaining injuries as well.
A second female constable was run over by the vehicle and became trapped under the vehicle. She suffered multiple fractures to her leg, including multiple compound fractures, and remains in hospital receiving treatment.
The 30-year-old driver of the Ford Laser, who is currently on bail, was arrested and later charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of drive at police and one count of culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm.
He is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today where bail will be opposed.
Deputy Chief Police Officer, Commander Michael Chew said the two female constables were new to ACT Policing and were being trained in traffic procedures by road policing.
“They remained calm and acted appropriately during what would have been a terrifying situation,” DCPO Chew said.
“I have nothing but praise for the actions of all three officers, who were able to arrest the man at the scene.”
Due to the nature of her injuries, the female constable thrown onto the ground was able to arrest the Hawker man at the scene of the crime.
The driver of the Toyota Aurion and two other members of the public in the vicinity of the incident came to the aid of the injured police in attempting to lift the vehicle off the officer who was pinned under it.
“It concerns me greatly that these types of actions, deliberate in nature, are put forward against our officers and that they are deliberately injured while undertaking their duties,” DCPO Chew said.
All three officers will receive welfare support and assistance during their recovery from their injuries.
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