Girl, 8, seriously injured as police car hits uninvolved vehicle during chase
Six people hurt, including two officers in pursuit of suspected motorcycle thieves; two suspects later arrested
A young girl was seriously injured and several people were hurt when a police cruiser chasing a stolen vehicle in the West Bank crashed into an uninvolved car early Thursday morning.
The girl, 8, was taken to Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus in Jerusalem in serious condition with injuries to her abdomen and extremities, the Magen David Adom ambulance service said.
A total of six people were reported injured, including two police officers who had been in the cruiser. Six people were transported to hospitals, including the young girl, a man and woman in their 20s with moderate injuries, and three others listed in light condition, MDA said.
The collision occurred on Route 60 near the settlement of Geva Binyamin, north of Jerusalem.
According to reports, police from Ma’ale Adumim attempted to pull over a car carrying what police suspected was a stolen motorbike, and gave chase after the car refused to stop.
A short time later, the police car slammed into another vehicle as it traveled north of Geva Binyamin junction.
Two suspects from the fleeing vehicle were later arrested and taken in for questioning, police said.
Concerns have risen in recent years of the risks associated with police chases, with many cities in the US banning high-speed pursuits except in exceptional cases.