Brighton police chase: pedestrian narrowly avoids being hit as driver collides with eight cars

A man crossing a Brighton street says he had to run for his life during a police chase on 13 September. The suspect, 41, was arrested after hitting eight parked cars on Morley Street.

Brighton pedestrian 'had to run' as suspect fled police through city centre

A Brighton resident says he narrowly avoided being struck by a vehicle during a police chase through the city centre on 13 September, The Argus reports.

Merouane Azzouz, 37, was on his way to visit a friend near Morley Street when he witnessed the pursuit unfold in front of him. While crossing at a pedestrian crossing, he said he was forced to run to avoid being hit by the fleeing vehicle.

His wife, Merim Mabed, 44, said: "He ran to cross the road fast otherwise it would have hit him." Bystanders who saw Azzouz sprint across the road stopped afterwards to check on him.

Azzouz said: "Of course I was scared."

He initially began filming because he thought he might need footage as evidence of the erratic driving. It was only when he counted four police cars — two behind the suspect and two in front — that he understood a chase was under way.

According to Sussex Police, the incident began following reports of a man verbally abusing members of the public on Lewes Road. Officers spotted the suspect at The Level and gave chase.

The situation escalated when the driver turned into Morley Street and drove the wrong way down the road, colliding with eight parked vehicles before being arrested.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Police attempted to engage with the man, however he failed to comply with instructions and drove away from the scene. Officers pursued the car to Morley Street, where it was driven the wrong way down the road and collided with eight parked vehicles."

The suspect, a 41-year-old man, was subsequently taken to hospital and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs, failing to stop, and breaching a court injunction. No injuries have been reported.

The couple have lived in the area for nearly five years. Merim said her husband "has never seen this action before", and added: "He was shocked in the beginning but he is good now."

Source: The Argus