Police Fire Live Rounds at Tires to Arrest Suspect After Midnight Car Chase in Daegu

A driver in his 30s who attempted to flee from police responding to a suspected drunk driving report—crashing into multiple vehicles and a police officer in the process—has been arrested after police fired live rounds at his car tires.

The Daegu Bukbu Police Station announced today (Sept. 2) that it has apprehended and is investigating a man in his 30s, identified as Mr. A, on charges including special obstruction of official duties for causing a minor collision and subsequently ramming into police cars and officers while fleeing.

A passenger in the vehicle, identified as Mr. B also in his 30s, was also arrested on charges of aiding and abetting drunk driving.

According to police, Mr. A is accused of refusing to get out of his Mercedes-Benz after causing a minor accident near the Guku Tunnel in Buk-gu at 2:03 a.m. today, and then ramming into police vehicles and officers while trying to escape.

At the time, police responded to a citizen report suspecting drunk driving near the Guku Tunnel, tracked the vehicle, surrounded Mr. A's car with police cars in front of his residence, and ordered him to step out.

However, Mr. A ignored the command and attempted to drive away again, crashing into nine parked vehicles and police cars in the process.

He also struck a police officer, causing injuries including a fractured femur.

Police fired one blank round followed by four live rounds into the front and rear tires of the Mercedes-Benz.

After Mr. A opened the car door and stepped out, officers deployed a Taser to subdue him and arrested both him and Mr. B at the scene.

Both suspects refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.

Police investigations revealed that Mr. A drove a total distance of 20 kilometers from Jung-gu, through the Guku Tunnel in Buk-gu, to his residence.

A police official stated, "We have also applied charges for refusing a breathalyzer test," adding, "We plan to review whether to apply for an arrest warrant."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.