Traffic police officers in Tashkent were forced to open fire to stop a Chevrolet Cobalt that was driving into oncoming traffic and ramming other vehicles on Shota Rustaveli Street on the evening of June 11. Footage of the chaotic pursuit quickly spread across social media.
One video clip shows onlookers and officers attempting to block the white car by ramming it with another vehicle. Traffic officers are then seen striking the windshield and side windows, but the driver manages to break free and speed away. In other clips, the vehicle is shown driving on a flat tire with its rear bumper dragging along the asphalt.
The press service of the Tashkent City Police Department reported that the driver, who was flagrantly violating traffic laws and endangering public safety, was identified as 41-year-old R. Yu.
Because the man repeatedly ignored demands to pull over, law enforcement officers shot out one of the vehicle's tires. Only then were they able to detain him.
The department noted that the suspect is currently registered at a psychiatric hospital.
A pre-investigation inquiry into the incident is underway.
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