With a strong presence on Melbourne's freeways over the Easter long weekend, Operation Achilles officers were left shaking their heads at the actions of a number of dangerous drivers on Friday night.
It began on Friday at about 8.30pm, when Operation Achilles officers observed a white Holden VN Commodore travelling on the Tullamarine Freeway at an alleged speed of 144km/h in an 80km/h zone.
When police intercepted the vehicle, the 32-year-old male allegedly told police the car had also recently recorded a speed of up to 248km/h.
The vehicle was impounded and issued with a defect notice due to it being allegedly highly modified, and the man will be charged by summons for the speeding offence.
One hour later, police observed a black Holden travelling in the wrong lane along Barry Road in Upfield, with headlights switched off at an estimated speed of 130km/h.
Air Wing responded and observed the vehicle allegedly travelling more than 140km/h in a 60km/h zone on Pascoe Vale Road, before police units on the ground intercepted the vehicle on Railway Parade.
A 23-year-old male - who was a probationary driver - was arrested and the 2002 Holden Monaro CV8 was impounded. He was charged with reckless conduct endangering life and serious injury and was bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court at a later date.
About four hours later, Operation Achilles officers observed a white Hyundai iLoad van travelling at a high speed on Edgars Road, Thomastown at about 1.30am. The van continued on the Ring Road before allegedly turning off its headlights when sighting a Highway Patrol vehicle on the other side of the road.
The van allegedly accelerated to 182km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Ring Road, before exiting at Dalton Road and travelling at high speeds in the wrong lane. With no headlights on, the van continued to travel in the wrong traffic lane around the Lalor area, before finally driving on the correct side when it reached Edgars Road.
The van then allegedly travelled back onto the Ring Road, continuing north on the Hume Freeway at a speed of 155km/h. With headlights back on, the van exited the freeway at O'Herns Road before getting back on the Hume Freeway on the wrong side of the road and continued north.
Approximately a dozen vehicles had to take evasive action to avoid a head on collision.
The van then allegedly exited to Craigieburn Road, before driving down a bike path and leaving the van near the Merri Creek overpass.
The male driver fled on foot and was subsequently arrested by police in swamp land nearby.
The Hyundai iLoad van was impounded by police and the 33-year-old man was charged with conduct endangering life. He was bailed to appear at court at a later date.
Operation Achilles has been responsible for charging more than 200 of Melbourne's worst hoon drivers and impounding over 140 hoon vehicles over the past nine months.
As part of Operation Achilles, police saturate known hoon hotspots, ensuring they can rapidly respond to high risk driving events.
Anyone who witnesses dangerous hoon driving is urged to call Triple Zero (000) for an immediate police response.
Anyone with information about hoon activity, such as rubber found on the road or information about anyone involved in this activity is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link.
