Police fire at fleeing car during Vienna chase

Vienna police fired at a tyre during a high-speed pursuit on Wednesday night, but the driver continued to flee before officers stopped and arrested him. The 22-year-old, who did not have a valid driving licence, was being pursued after failing to stop for a traffic check, ORF reported.

Officers from the Landstraße city police command spotted the car, which had German number plates, at about 10 p.m. after a traffic offence. The driver initially followed their instructions to stop, then sped off towards the A23 motorway.

On the A23 towards Stadlau, the driver repeatedly appeared to be preparing to leave the motorway but continued on, driving along the hard shoulder for an extended period despite police sirens. After taking the Hirschstetten exit, he drove along Hirschstettner Straße. Officers observed further speeding, driving on a cycle path and running a red light.

Police eventually stopped the car on Donaufelder Straße. The 25-year-old passenger got out and tried to run but was immediately detained. The driver ignored repeated orders to leave the car, restarted it and fled again.

An officer then fired at a tyre from close range. Investigators are examining how many shots were fired and whether the tyre was hit. The driver continued at high speed, driving over a pavement, before police stopped him in Richard-Neutra-Gasse in Vienna’s Floridsdorf district.

The Austrian citizen told police that he fled because he had no valid driving licence. Investigators are also checking whether he owns the car. He was provisionally arrested. No one was injured.