'He Drove Straight at Me' : Traffic Police Officers Recount Terrifying Chase

COLOMBO (News 1st); What began as a routine traffic checkpoint in Piliyandala quickly escalated into a high-stakes pursuit, as officers from the Western Province South Traffic Division found themselves in the path of a reckless van driver who posed a serious threat to public safety.

On the morning of the 25th, Police Constables B.A.D.L. Jayasena and Sumith Kumara were stationed at the Suwarapola junction conducting standard vehicle inspections.

The calm was abruptly broken when a motorcyclist pulled up and urgently informed them that a light-colored van had just caused an accident and was speeding toward their location.

Moments later, the van appeared. Constable Jayasena stepped onto the road and signaled the driver to stop. But instead of complying, the driver accelerated directly toward him, forcing the officer to leap out of harm’s way. Realizing the severity of the situation, Jayasena turned to his colleague and initiated a pursuit on their motorbike.

As the chase unfolded, the van driver, in a desperate attempt to escape, veered into the opposite lane—where a lorry was approaching—leaving no room to maneuver.

The van collided with an oncoming motorcycle, further endangering lives.

Recognizing the need for evidence, Officer Dhanushka, who was also on duty, advised the team to begin recording the incident on their phones. The footage, now part of the official investigation, captured the van’s reckless path and the officers’ rapid response.

The situation intensified when the van continued to flee despite repeated warnings.

Constable Jayasena, assessing the growing danger to civilians, made the critical decision to deploy his firearm. He instructed his colleague to hand over the weapon and, following strict protocol, discharged it to disable the vehicle. Even after shots were fired, the van pressed forward until both front tires were deflated, bringing it to a halt.

The suspect then abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but officers were quick to respond.

Reflecting on the incident, Constable Jayasena emphasized that their actions were driven by a duty to protect the public. “In moments like these, training and discipline take over,” he said. “We acted within the law, with restraint, and with the safety of innocent people as our top priority.”