Impaired driver reaches 140 km/h in dangerous Reykjavik pursuit

An impaired driver in a Hopp car reached speeds of up to 140 kilometres per hour during a police pursuit in Reykjavík on Sunday, mbl.is reported. The pursuit ended when the driver mounted a traffic island on Breiðholtsbraut near Víðidal and could not continue.

Four or five police cars and a similar number of police motorcycles pursued the driver from Lágmúli to Breiðholtsbraut. During the pursuit, the driver collided with at least four vehicles, including two police cars, caused extensive damage to the shared car and posed a serious danger to himself and other motorists.

Sævar Guðmundsson, a shift supervisor with the Reykjavík Metropolitan Police, said the driver had been reported shortly after noon for appearing impaired at the wheel in central Reykjavík.

When police instructed the driver to stop, he increased his speed and ignored their orders, prompting the pursuit. At its most intense, the Hopp car was travelling at 140 kilometres per hour along Ártúnsbrekka towards the east.

The pursuit ended on Breiðholtsbraut near Víðidal after the driver drove over a traffic island, apparently damaging the car further. The vehicle was already badly damaged and could not go any farther.

The driver will remain in a holding cell until he is able to speak with police. Sævar said he was not aware of anyone being injured, describing it as remarkable given the dangerous driving and the driver’s impaired condition.