An Adelaide traffic officer suffered injuries, including a broken leg, when a driver who had been stopped for a random breath test sped off and trapped the officer’s arm, police have alleged.

Key points:

  • The police officer was taken to hospital with injuries including a broken leg
  • Police said he had tried to stop the driver from leaving the scene
  • When the driver closed the window, the officer’s arm became trapped and he was then flung from the vehicle

SA Police are now searching for the car, a silver Holden Captiva, which was pulled over at an RBT site on Elaine Avenue at Seaton in Adelaide’s west at about 5:15pm on Anzac Day.

Police said the car had been stopped only for a short time when the man at the wheel started to drive off, prompting the officer to reach through the window “in an attempt to stop the vehicle from leaving”.

But the driver then closed the window, trapping the officer’s arm.

“The car moved off and the officer was swung from the car,” police said.

After receiving treatment at the scene, the police officer was taken to hospital with a broken leg and other non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have released an image of the car, with registration S796 CLM, which was last seen heading west on Elaine Street.

“[The driver] is described as being aged in his 40s, of Caucasian appearance, about 183cm tall, medium build, with brown hair and blue eyes,” police said.

Police have asked anyone who sees the vehicle to call the assistance line on 131 444, and anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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