Newsroom
Cyprus police are defending their handling of a shocking highway incident in which a 65-year-old man was carried on the windshield of a moving car for nearly two kilometers after a crash on the Larnaca motorway.
Police spokesman Vyronas Vyronos said officers deliberately avoided immediately pursuing the fleeing driver because they feared it could put the injured man’s life at even greater risk.
“The priority was the safety of the person on the vehicle,” Vyronos said during an appearance on ANT1’s daytime program “Mera Mesimeri.”
According to police, the incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon after two vehicles collided on the highway.
The 65-year-old driver of one of the cars reportedly approached the second vehicle to exchange information following the crash. But moments later, as police arrived at the scene, the other driver allegedly attempted to flee.
In an effort to stop him, the 65-year-old ended up on the front windshield of the moving vehicle as it sped along the motorway.
Authorities said officers chose not to engage in a high-speed chase, instead following the vehicle from a distance due to fears that sudden maneuvers or a forced stop could have caused the man to fall or suffer more serious injuries.
At one point, the vehicle slowed down, causing the 65-year-old to fall onto the roadway, Vyronos said.
Police officers immediately stopped to assist the injured man and assess his condition, giving the driver of the rental vehicle an opportunity to escape.
The victim suffered relatively minor injuries, including bruises and abrasions.
Police said investigators quickly launched examinations that led to the identification of the suspect. Authorities later located the rental vehicle and issued an arrest warrant for the driver.
