Man arrested after allegedly leading police on chase before crashing through a fence in Albany

An Albany man will face court after allegedly leading police on a car chase in Spencer on Saturday night before crashing through a fence, fleeing the scene and returning a positive alcohol reading. Nearby residents were left shocked after a Holden Rodeo ute crashed through the fence of a house at the corner of Ulster and Angove roads, then careered into bushland about 9.25pm. Police say they tried to stop the vehicle after it turned off North Road on to Ulster Road moments earlier but the driver sped away. Albany police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Hugh Letessier said the vehicle was found abandoned in bush alongside Angove Road. The driver was taken into custody a short time later. Sen. Sgt Letessier said the driver was not injured in the crash. “A male person was called to stop by police and he didn’t,” Sen. Sgt Letessier said. “Driving on Ulster Road, the male attempted to turn right into Angove Road, lost control and crashed into the fence. The driver left the scene but was located by police nearby and arrested.” A 48-year-old Albany man has been charged with failing to stop in circumstances of aggravation, reckless driving to escape police pursuit and driving with a blood alcohol reading in excess of 0.08. Earlier on Saturday a man was taken to hospital after a serious crash on South Coast Highway in Kalgan. About 1.40pm police were called to a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of South Coast Highway and Benson Road. Sen. Sgt Letessier said a 52-year-old man was driving a Ford Explorer towards Albany when he lost control, hit a gravel shoulder and over-corrected, resulting in the vehicle rolling several times. The SUV came to a rest on its side but the driver managed to escape through a window and call triple-0. He was taken to Albany Health Campus with a head injury and a possible spinal injury.