Cop hospitalised in wild police pursuit at Port Pirie

A woman, 40, will face court after a dramatic police pursuit saw an officer allegedly dragged along by a car, amid a chaotic trail of destruction that finally ended in a school carpark.

A woman has been arrested after a wild police pursuit at Port Pirie left cars and fences damaged and an officer injured on Monday night.

Police received calls from members of the public about 6pm, after a white Holden sedan was seen allegedly driving erratically around the town.

Witnesses allege the car – which police confirmed had been reported stolen from Port Pirie South earlier in the day – was swerving, hitting parked cars and fences.

Port Pirie police spotted the vehicle on Anzac Rd, Risdon Park, about 6.15pm but the vehicle allegedly failed to stop, and during a brief pursuit a patrol car was struck and the chase was stopped.

Police later found the car driving into the carpark of a school on Wandearah Rd.

An officer managed to reach in through the open window and grab the car keys, however he was dragged along by the car before it came to a stop, police allege.

The officer suffered minor injuries and was taken to the local hospital.

The driver, a 40-year-old Solomontown woman, was arrested and charged with numerous offences including endangering life, driving unlicensed, illegal interference, speeding, driving without due care, driving dangerously to avoid police pursuit, property damage, and refusing blood test.

She was refused police bail and will appear in the Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage of the vehicle driving around Port Pirie on Monday night.

They are asked to provide their details to local police or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at Crimestoppers.

Originally published as Cop hospitalised in wild police pursuit at Port Pirie