Man charged over high-speed chase that led to crash in Leeming

A 27-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase through Perth's southern suburbs, resulting in a crash that seriously injured an 80-year-old man.

The elderly man was injured when an unmarked police car collided with his white sedan as he turned right onto Beasley Road in Leeming yesterday morning. He was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.

Crash scene

Aerial vision from the scene showed the front of the man's Hyundai Accent had been ripped off before the car eventually came to a standstill in the westbound lanes of South Street. The car's engine was ejected in the smash, landing 50 metres away on the opposite side of the six-lane road.

The unmarked police vehicle could be seen about 90 metres further down the road with a smashed windscreen and a metal road sign lodged in its bonnet. The two police officers, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 30s, were taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital as a precaution.

Chase details

Police allege the accused man stole a grey SUV from a residence on Elizabeth Street in White Gum Valley around 3.10am yesterday. The car was then spotted by police travelling north along Albany Highway in Maddington, about 20 kilometres east of White Gum Valley, at 10.35am.

Officers activated lights and sirens and attempted to stop the driver, who allegedly failed to do so and led police on an eastbound chase across several suburbs including Thornlie, Langford, Beaconsfield, Coogee and Leeming, where the crash involving the unmarked police car occurred.

Along the way, the accused man allegedly collided with a police car, causing minor damage, before continuing to drive recklessly at speed through red lights and on the opposite side of the road.

Arrest and charges

After allegedly crashing into a civilian vehicle, the 27-year-old was tracked with the assistance of a police helicopter to a caravan park in Coogee, where he was arrested after trying to flee on foot.

The man from Doubleview in Perth's north is facing eight charges, including "driving without a licence", "reckless driving to escape pursuit by police" and "possession of methamphetamine". He is expected to face the Perth Magistrates Court later today.