Shocking Footage Shows Stolen Car Launching Into the Air During 100mph Police Chase

A dangerous police pursuit ended in a spectacular crash when a man driving a stolen car lost control at high speed, sending the vehicle flying into the air before it landed in a ditch. The dramatic incident unfolded on a major road in southern England, where officers pursued the driver as he attempted to escape at speeds reportedly exceeding 100mph. Dashcam footage captured the frightening moment the getaway came to an abrupt end.

The driver, Ben Marchant, 21, from Southampton, was behind the wheel of a stolen Vauxhall Insignia when police spotted the vehicle traveling eastbound on the A303. The car had reportedly been stolen in Ludgershall, Wiltshire, on April 21. When officers attempted to stop it, Marchant failed to pull over and accelerated away, triggering a high-speed pursuit.

As the chase continued, the stolen vehicle raced along the road at dangerous speeds, with police following close behind. Footage shows the car swerving before approaching the junction near Barton Stacey. As Marchant attempted to leave the A303, he appeared to lose control, veering toward the edge of the road and striking the kerb and grassy verge.

The impact sent the car briefly airborne before it crashed into a ditch, coming to rest on its bonnet. The pursuing police vehicle quickly pulled over beside the wreckage. Officers rushed toward the damaged car, removed Marchant from the vehicle and restrained him on the ground before placing him under arrest. Remarkably, the incident did not result in any reported serious injuries.

Marchant was subsequently charged with several offences, including dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police and possession of a Class B drug. The case highlighted the risks created when drivers attempt to evade police at extreme speeds, not only for themselves but also for innocent motorists who may be caught in the path of a runaway vehicle.

PC Tom Webster, from Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said Marchant had driven well in excess of 100mph, putting himself and other road users at risk of serious injury or death. He explained that the driver was unable to control the vehicle at such speed and crashed into a hedgerow while trying to leave the main road. The officer also described the footage as shocking, noting how fortunate it was that nobody was seriously injured.

Marchant was sentenced last month to 12 months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for five years and ordered to pay £228. The sentence followed his dangerous attempt to escape police and the crash that brought the pursuit to an end.

The dramatic footage serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a high-speed chase can turn catastrophic. What began with a stolen car became a dangerous race along a public road, ending with a vehicle overturned in a ditch and its driver facing prison. Police have stressed that motorists who ignore instructions to stop and drive recklessly can place countless lives in danger within seconds.

Source: The Sun