A disqualified driver was charged and bailed after leading police on a pursuit through West Gippsland on Friday morning.
The driver, a 38-year-old Morwell man, allegedly drove an unregistered silver Holden Astra on the wrong side of the road, at high speeds and through red lights as he travelled from Moe to Trafalgar and Drouin. After near misses with other vehicles and pedestrians, police said the vehicle collided with the back of a bus in Albert St, Warragul.
Police said the vehicle with no registration plates was dumped in Civic Park. Officers later located and arrested the man in a nearby residential backyard.
They allege drugs, believed to be cannabis and methamphetamine, were located inside the vehicle. The man allegedly refused a preliminary breath test.
Police thanked community members for their assistance during the incident. There were no injuries.
A community member first notified police of an erratic driver in Bennett St, Moe at about 8.30am.
After determining the vehicle was travelling along the Princes Hwy, police officers attempted to intercept the vehicle in both Trafalgar and Warragul. The police air wing was utilised to pursue the vehicle.
Police said a 38-year-old Morwell man was charged with reckless conduct endangering life as well as drug and driving charges. He was bailed to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on February 2.