A SPEEDING motorist smashed into three other cars during a dangerous high speed chase.

Stunned onlookers saw a Nissan X-Trail careering into a parked car and two which were being driven in Pownall Crescent, Colchester, at 1.50pm on Friday.

The driver shunted into two Minis and a Nissan GTR estimated to be worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Richard Searle, who works as a valeter for nearby vehicle servicing company Fairfax Motors witnessed the drama unfold.

He said: “The Nissan X-Trail came down the road and initially it sounded like it hit the speed bump extremely hard.

“But a bit further down the road it had hit a Nissan GTR which is really expensive - about £50,000 worth of car.

“Police were coming down the road and chasing him.

“They also hit a Mini which was parked and we had been working on and another Mini which was stationary at the traffic lights.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the GTR was written off.

“The passenger in the X-Trail was arrested but I saw the driver run off and the police went after him.

“I don’t know whether they caught up with him in the end."

Gazette:

Mr Searle said he thought the driver hit speeds of up to 50mph on the narrow road.

“He was absolutely hammering it,” he said.

“I have never seen police move so fast in all my life..

“It was really dramatic - unbelievable really.”

It is understood the chase started at Essex University and the driver was lost after a foot chase through several gardens.

Police say a 16-year-old male has been arrested after a car failed to stop.

A police spokesman said: “A 16-year-old was arrested in Pownall Crescent at around 1.40pm on Friday on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, possession of drugs, theft and assault.

“He was arrested in connection with an incident in Lightship Way, Colchester, at around 3.35am on Thursday after an 18-year-old man reported that he was punched and had his phone stolen.

“The boy remains in custody for questioning.”