Multiple Crashes, Injuries in Santa Cruz Stolen Car Chase; Minor Arrested
A police chase involving a stolen car with traces of drugs in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Sunday afternoon caused three crashes, several injuries, and led to one arrest, with another suspect still at large.
A police chase through the main roads of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Sunday afternoon led to three car crashes and several injuries. As of 4:45 PM, emergency services were still assessing those who were hurt.
Local Police eventually stopped the car on Comodoro Rolín street. Two men got out and ran away, but officers on motorcycles chased them, catching one, a minor. The second man managed to escape on foot and is still being searched for, according to police.
The chase began when the car, carrying two men, ran a yield sign at the junction of Tres de Mayo and Avenida de La Salle. It crashed violently into a Renault Capture that was driving on Avenida de La Salle. The 65-year-old Renault driver lost control, and the car spun, hitting the garage wall of the building housing the Social Courts. The impact knocked down part of the wall and severely damaged the Renault's front and sides, blowing out three of its tires.
The Renault driver seemed shaken but not seriously hurt at first. Paramedics treated him at the scene before an ambulance took him to the hospital.
The car that caused the first accident sped away, with a Local Police patrol chasing it. The driver ignored police warnings and continued at high speed through several main streets, including Puente Galcerán, Méndez Núñez, Avenida 25 de Julio, Ramblas de Santa Cruz, Avenida de los Asuncionistas, and Avenida Reyes Católicos. The car then turned the wrong way onto Unamuno street. The pursuing police car, trying not to lose sight of it, swerved sharply and crashed into a lamppost. Both officers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police confirmed.
The fleeing car continued onto Avenida de Madrid and Avenida Benito Pérez Armas, where it caused two other cars to crash into each other. While no injuries were reported in this incident, there was significant damage. The driver then sped onto Comodoro Rolín street, where a police patrol finally managed to block the car's path. The two men got out and ran away, but one was arrested. It's not yet clear if the arrested person was the driver or the passenger.
Police sources said the car belongs to a rental company in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and had been reported stolen. Initial checks of the vehicle also found traces of drugs.