What began as a random police check near Tumut on Saturday night, turned into a chase when the stopped Nissan 300ZX allegedly took off as officers approached. 

Riverina Police District Inspector Peter McLay said the car had run over a policeman’s foot as it fled from Richmond Street. 

In the pursuit that followed, Inspector McLay said the 300ZX had lost control on Fitzroy Street and rolled several times, ejecting the 26-year-old driver and sole occupant. 

The 26-year-old was rushed to Wagga hospital, where he was treated for a number of broken ribs. 

“It’s extremely lucky he wasn’t killed,” Inspector McLay said. 

“It could easily have resulted in a fatality, either to himself or to someone else on the road.” 

He said the car was initially pulled over for failing to display a rear number plate and was later found to be unregistered. 

“The fact he was ejected would suggest he was not wearing a seat belt properly,” Inspector McLay said.

“Investigations are still ongoing.”

But the “foolish” act only added to a “disappointing” weekend on the region’s roads, according to Inspector McLay.

It comes after a 63-year-old woman was charged with mid-range drink driving on Sunday and two residents are awaiting the results of a drug screen, after oral-fluid samples tested positive for drugs. 

Inspector McLay said charges could not be laid in relation to the two separate incidents at Cootamundra on Saturday evening and Wagga on Sunday afternoon, until the tests were returned. 

Inspector McLay said residents were still choosing to act foolishly, despite a number of police operations and additional police on roads. 

“Clearly, this is of great concern,” he said. 

“People continue to take illegal substances and drive while impaired.

“It can result in catastrophe.”