This is the remarkable moment a motorist in Chile thwarted a brazen armed highway robbery by deliberately running over one of the gun-wielding criminals attempting to force his vehicle to stop. Rather than braking to avoid a collision, the driver accelerated through a narrow gap, striking the assailant in an act of self-preservation captured on video.
The Dramatic Incident Unfolds
The incident occurred on Saturday in Quilicura, a commune within Chile's capital city of Santiago. The targeted couple were about to access the Vespucio Norte motorway from the national Ruta 5 road when an Audi vehicle screeched to a halt in front of them, blocking their path. At least two armed men, appearing to wear masks to conceal their faces, emerged from the car, poised to carry out the robbery.
A Tense Prelude and Swift Action
Seconds before the hold-up, the woman passenger was overheard expressing concern, stating, 'They say this area is kind of dangerous.' Her companion, the driver, later confirmed to a Chilean radio station that they had already harboured suspicions about the Audi ahead of them. He recounted accelerating initially to create distance, only for the Audi to speed up and position itself in front.
When one of the criminals exited holding a weapon, the driver's sole intention was to escape. He estimated his speed at between 50mph and 60mph when he struck the gunman. The woman could be heard screaming during the impact, later telling her companion, 'You were right,' acknowledging their prior suspicions of an ambush.
Aftermath and Legal Considerations
Following the incident, the driver, audibly trying to control his panicked breathing, proceeded to a safer area further down the motorway before stopping. Police informed him that the Audi used by the criminals was found abandoned nearby. Authorities noted that five men in the same vehicle are believed to have attempted a shop robbery in the area earlier that day, suggesting the injured gunman may not have been seriously hurt.
Context of Highway Crime in Chile
Locals describe these 'encerronas,' or highway hold-ups, as common occurrences in the area, happening both day and night. In response, Chile's Minister of Security, Luis Cordero, stated that police are exploring methods to enhance the fight against such violent crimes.
Regarding potential legal repercussions for the driver, lawyer Marcelo Abujiar indicated that prosecution is unlikely. He explained, 'Given that the place where this incident occurred is well-known for these so-called encerronas, the reaction of this motorist could be justified as a self-defence mechanism.' The driver himself revealed a personal connection to such crimes, noting that his brother had previously experienced an identical hold-up in a nearby area, which mentally prepared him for the situation.
This harrowing event underscores the ongoing challenges of highway safety and criminal activity in certain regions of Chile, highlighting a citizen's drastic but effective response to imminent danger.
