Sarantis Parissos hears victim impact statements from SA Police officers over hit-run crash and theft of police car
A former seafood heir left a traumatised female officer no longer wanting to work in the police force after she was dragged along the ground in a horrific hit-run.
The female police officer who was dragged along the ground in a horrific hit-run said she doesn’t know if she can continue working in the force due to the trauma.
Former seafood heir Sarantis Parissos, 41, showed “complete disregard” for the officer’s life, as well as brazenly stealing a police car in a separate incident.
Victim impact statements were read to the District Court on Friday by prosecutor Mitch Mott.
The female officer said the January 2022 incident tipped her life upside down and left her “frozen in pain”.
“2022 was the worst year of my life, physically and mentally,” she said.
“I try my best to enjoy my job but I don’t think I can remain as a police officer due to the trauma of this incident.
“I didn’t join the police to get hurt or to hurt anyone.
“My health is worth more than being treated like a speed bump for someone who had a complete disregard for other people’s lives.”
At the time of his arrest, police spotted Parissos in a black Range Rover SUV speeding along Sir Donald Bradman Drive, near Lockleys, at about 4pm.
The PolAir helicopter tracked the car through backstreets from above and directed patrols to Merlin Rd, Fulham Gardens.
Several police officers approached the car in a bid to apprehend Parissos but he reversed and dragged the female officer for several metres before driving off.
He then dumped the car near Grange Rd and ran off.
Police attempted to confront Parissos, but he ran into the path of oncoming traffic and was struck by a car.
He was taken to hospital with a broken neck, while the female police officer was also taken to hospital.
Parissos also stole a patrol car in front of officers back in December 2021.
The incident occurred on Copley Street at Broadview, with bodycam footage of the incident released showing the confrontation between police and motorcyclist Sarantis Parissos.
The officer who was injured during the incident said his life had changed dramatically after suffering a dislocated shoulder when he was thrown 10m from the vehicle.
“I keep remembering the loud revving of the engine as Parissos had his foot on the accelerator, as I was on top of him, while my legs were hanging out of the driver’s side of the vehicle.” he said.
“I knew if the gear stick was put into drive, I was in extreme danger of being flung across a main road at speed, which would have likely killed me or seriously injured me.”
Parissos, of West Lakes, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including driving dangerously to escape police pursuit and hindering a police officer and thereby causing harm.
Tim Clarke, for Parissos, told the court it was acknowledged his client’s decisions were “extremely poor”, “catastrophically bad” and at a time when he was using drugs.
The court heard Parissos, who had written an apology letter to the officers, had previously worked for his father’s business, Parissos Seafoods, which has since been sold.
Judge Rauf Soulio will sentence Parissos next month.
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