Early Morning Pursuit Begins in Bus Lane
A routine patrol by the anti-crime brigade (BAC) early Wednesday morning quickly escalated into a high-stakes pursuit through the streets of Montpellier. At approximately 2 a.m. on August 12, 2026, officers spotted a Porsche driving illegally in a designated bus lane on the avenue de la Justice de Castelnau. When police attempted to conduct a routine traffic stop, the driver refused to comply and accelerated away from the scene.
The 23-year-old driver behind the wheel led law enforcement through several streets in the Aiguelongue neighborhood before the vehicle looped back to the avenue de la Justice de Castelnau.
Reckless Speeds Throttle Through Red Lights
As the chase intensified, investigators noted that the Porsche reached speeds of 120 km/h in an area where the speed limit is strictly capped at 50 km/h. The danger mounted rapidly.
During this stretch of the pursuit, the driver ran multiple red lights without taking precautions. One intersection was traversed at an astonishing 150 km/h, narrowly avoiding a collision with another civilian vehicle.
Top Speeds Hit 175 KM/H Near the Verdanson
The fleeing vehicle continued its erratic route toward avenue François Delmas, also known as the route de Nîmes. Here, police radar or estimates placed the Porsche’s top speed during the chase at 175 km/h before the car headed toward the banks of the Verdanson.
Tramway Pit Brings High-Speed Chase to a Stop
The chase came to an abrupt halt when the driver attempted to navigate the tracks of tramway line 2. The Porsche struck the anti-intrusion pit designed to protect the light rail infrastructure, disabling the car completely.
Heavy Intoxication and No Insurance Confirmed
Officers from the BAC immediately detained the driver at the scene.
Furthermore, checks on the vehicle revealed that the Porsche was entirely uninsured. According to the French National Police, the suspect—whose identity has not been publicly released—was arrested and placed in police custody as judicial proceedings advance.
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