A Tamworth man was charged with a high range PCA offence after crashing into a parked police car at Tamworth yesterday. Photo: Fairfax
A MAN was allegedly more than five times the legal limit when he crashed his car into a parked police vehicle in Tamworth yesterday – and last night was still too drunk for officers to piece the whole episode together and explain why they were the target of a seemingly deliberate attack.
About 1.30pm, the 22-year-old Tamworth man turned into Fitzroy St from Marius St, before swerving sharply across the road and slamming the small hatchback head-on into a paddy wagon parked at the front of the police station.
He then got out of his car and began yelling in the direction of the station.
Several officers rushed out and apprehended the man.
The man was uninjured and neither vehicle appeared to have sustained serious damage.
An onlooker said it looked as though he had aimed for the police vehicle.
The incident quickly drew a small crowd of concerned passers-by.
Police said the man had driven about 5km from his home in Baird Cr, South Tamworth, to the station.
He was charged with a high range PCA offence and had his licence suspended after allegedly recording a blood alcohol level of .273.
Senior police would not rule out laying further charges and said bail would be determined when the man was more sober.
Acting police inspector Peter McMenamin, yesterday described the incident as “unacceptable in every way, shape or form”.
He said police were still to establish a motive for the incident.
“There were obviously underlying issues which will be investigated, but we haven’t been able to identify them due to the level of intoxication of the accused,” Mr McMenamin said.
“We will be exploring this further when police are able to speak further with the gentlemen, but until that time, or when further information comes to light, we’re unable to determine any reasons behind this unacceptable behaviour.
“Driving a motor vehicle at that level of intoxication is extremely dangerous to all members of the public, other road users and pedestrians as well as himself.
“It was extremely dangerous and put the entire Tamworth community at risk.”
Meanwhile, at about 4pm, police were called to another bingle after a 4WD drove into a fence at West Tamworth League Club on Kathleen St.
Police are investigating the incident after it was reported a young man was seen running from the vehicle after the collision.
About 20 minutes later Tamworth patrol cars were called to a third accident after three cars collided at the intersection of Denison and Barnes streets in Taminda.
No one was injured in that bingle but all three cars had to be towed from the scene.
