30-05-2025
Disqualified driver collides with police car on A2 in Kent
WATCH: The moment a disqualified driver collides with a police car on the A2 in Kent
Credit: Essex Police, video contains flashing images
A disqualified driver collided with a marked police car as he tried to leave the A2 in Kent while being chased by Essex Police.
Harmash Bunger left the scene of the collision in South Ockendon, in Thurrock, and refused to stop for police.
Roads policing officers from Essex, supported by colleagues from Kent, tracked the driver across two counties before stopping him as he tried to lose them on a busy A road.
Once arrested, police said he refused to provide a specimen of breath for a roadside alcohol test
Following the incident on Friday 21 March, the 47-year-old pleaded guilty to seven offence including:
Dangerous driving
Failing to stop at the scene of an accident
Refusing to provide a specimen for analysis
Driving while disqualified
Driving with no insurance
Careless driving
Failing to stop when requested by an officer
Essex Police said: "Witnesses reported that Bunger had been seen leaving a South Ockendon pub and had told police they thought he was 'very drunk' and that he was 'stumbling and falling over'.
"Bunger had got into a VW Golf and less than 10 minutes later collided with a moped rider, who was thrown from his bike. Thankfully only suffering minor injuries.
"Roads policing officers spotted the Golf and indicated for the driver to pull over, he refused and drove away after colliding with officer's car. Officers then initiated the pursuit."
He has been jailed for 16 months and disqualified from driving for 44 months.
He has also been ordered to take an extended driving test.
Adam Pipe, head of Roads Policing from Essex Police, said: "This is a particularly horrifying piece of dangerous driving which put other roads users at risk.
"Bunger has displayed a flagrant disregard for the safety of himself and others.
"After making a poor decision to break the law and get behind the wheel, he then collided with a moped driver before continuing to drive in a way which put further road users' lives at risk.
"He ignored officers repeated attempts to stop him from driving and this criminal behaviour was only stopped by officers' quick reactions as he attempted to exit the A2.
"Somebody could have easily been killed or seriously injured as a direct result of his actions.
"We will not tolerate this type of driving in Essex and, let me be clear, we will ensure anyone who breaks the law on our roads is brought before the courts."
