THIS is the shocking moment a lorry ploughs into a police car during a heart-pumping pursuit along a major motorway.
The high speed chase unfolded in December last year after two men stole 500 tyres from the back of a heavy goods vehicle in an early hours heist.
Cops responded and another HGV, carrying the stolen tyres, fled the scene – sparking a pursuit.
Footage from the dashcam of a pursuing police vehicle and a circling helicopter shows the massive lorry fleeing at high speed through West Yorkshire.
Officers were assisted by the National Police Air service as they tried to bring the fleeing vehicle to a stop.
Terrifying footage shows the large HGV swerving in and out of traffic on a busy motorway, narrowly avoiding members of the public.
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At one point the lorry passes a police vehicle parked on the edge of the motorway and has its tyres burst by a stinger, or spike strip, but carries on running regardless.
The vehicle slams into several police cars, attempting to ram cops off the road in a desperate bid to escape justice.
One unmarked police car was spun out and ploughed into the central reservation after being slammed into by the lorry.
The unmarked vehicle can be seen driving slowly in front of the lorry in an attempt to bring it to a stop.
Following the impact with the heavy lorry the motor can be seen spinning several times in the road as pieces of the car come flying off.
The officer inside the motor suffered minor injuries in the horror smash while the HGV sped off.
Eventually the fleeing vehicle comes to a stop after being hit with a spike strip earlier in the pursuit.
Footage from the police chopper circling above shows two suspects leaping from the HGV and trying to flee on foot as cop cars swarm the scene.
The pair sprint across the central reservation and cross the other side of the motorway which appears to have been cleared of cars by cops.
Specialist dog units, the police helicopter and officers from several police forces were able to chase down the suspects and apprehend them near Bradford, where the chase ended.
Dramatic video shows both men being arrested as swarms of uniformed officers pinpoint their location and chase them down.
The two men have been jailed after the pursuit, which crossed three force areas.
More than £40,000 worth of stolen tyres were found in the lorry they were driving.
Dean Higgins, of Winrose Avenue, Leeds, was jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to theft, driving whilst disqualified, and dangerous driving.
Connor Barnett, of Quarry Way, Leeds, was jailed for 14 months after pleading guilty to theft.
The pair received their sentences at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday March 6.
PC Philip Raymond, from Greater Manchester Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “This was a highly challenging and dangerous pursuit which involved colleagues from three different police forces.
“The pair stole thousands of pounds worth of tyres and showed recklessness as they fled, including spinning out a GMP officer – we are fortunate there were not more serious consequences for their actions.
“The work of Cheshire, GMP, and West Yorkshire has meant that the pair are now rightly behind bars for their crimes, and is testament to the commitment and dedication of all police forces.”
Detective Inspector David Schofield, from Cheshire Police, said: “This is another fine example of forces working together to catch criminals and put them before the courts.
“They certainly got more than they bargained for when they came to Cheshire to steal and thought they could simply get away with it.
“I hope this sends a message loud and clear that we are tireless in our efforts to stop cross-county criminals in their tracks and get justice for victims.”
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