The taxi collided with the driver of a stolen 4×4 Toyota Cruiser that had been chased by police. The chase was abandoned by police cars as the 4 wheel drive vehicle was being driven with no headlights. The pursuit was deemed too dangerous and a helicopter was employed for ‘monitoring’ the stolen vehicle.
The 36-year-old British man had just arrived in Perth for a conference. He is believed to have been a doctor of physics. The taxi driver was a family man who lived locally, originally from India.
The 23-year-old man who was driving the stolen vehicle has been arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter as he recovers in Royal Perth Hospital with leg injuries.
“The police helicopter maintained observations of the vehicle which subsequently crashed some time later at the Kewdale intersection. I want to emphasise that there is no evidence at this time to suggest the vehicle was being pursued at the time of the crash,” Assistant Police Commissioner Gary Budge told Perth Now.
“It is difficult to imagine the trauma the two families must be feeling out there today and I want to pass on our condolences to both of those families and tell them that we will provide all the support that is possible.”
Image: ThinkStock
