The Case of the Reckless Driver Who Caused Collisions in Central Jakarta

A driver in a Toyota Calya caused chaos in Central Jakarta by driving recklessly and colliding with several vehicles after initially attempting to evade police for using a fake license plate. The driver, HM (25), was eventually apprehended and is being questioned by authorities. The incident highlights concerns about traffic violations and public safety in the city.

The incident began when police noticed the Toyota Calya with a fake license plate in the Gunung Sahari area. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver sped away, driving erratically and against traffic.

“The driver fled and drove against the flow of traffic on several roads, eventually colliding with a motorcycle at the scene,” said the Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Budi Hermanto. The Toyota Calya sustained scratches on its right side, while the motorcycle driver was injured, and the motorcycle was damaged.

The driver, HM (25), was apprehended and is currently being questioned. The vehicle was found to have a fake license plate D-1640-AHB. The actual license plate, based on the vehicle’s frame and engine numbers, is B-2932-BZF. The driver did not have a vehicle registration certificate (STNK) or a driver’s license.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon on Jalan Gunung Sahari. Officers initially noticed the vehicle driving recklessly in heavy traffic. When asked to pull over, the driver ignored the request and continued driving. The driver then turned onto Gunung Sahari IV.

Instead of slowing down, the driver sped up, driving erratically through the streets and leading officers on a chase. “The vehicle was recorded on the dashcam of a patrol car driving at high speed. It then turned left towards Bungur and entered Gunung Sahari V, a one-way street. Many vehicles, including motorcycles, were nearly hit, as the driver continued to drive at high speed,” said the Director of Traffic of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Komarudin.

At the Pasar Baru intersection, the driver entered Jalan Budi Utomo, driving against traffic in the right lane. Officers pursued the driver, who continued to drive recklessly and at high speed. “The officers stopped at the intersection and turned around in the middle of the road, but the driver continued driving and almost hit one of our officers. The driver then turned towards Ancol, but refused to stop,” said Komarudin.

The driver continued driving towards Ancol, where officers pursued him. However, the driver soon encountered traffic and began driving against traffic again, colliding with several vehicles. “The officers continued to follow the driver. As the vehicle approached the Ancol area and the Pintu Besi traffic light, which was red, the driver was blocked by the queue of vehicles. Instead of waiting, the driver turned around and drove back towards Pasar Baru on the same road, without changing lanes. This is when the incident was recorded on camera,” Komarudin concluded.