A female police officer who was dragged along the ground in a horrific hit-and-run has expressed doubts about continuing her career in the force due to the trauma.
The incident, involving former seafood heir Sarantis Parissos, 41, took place in January 2022. Parissos showed “complete disregard” for the officer’s life and later stole a police car in a separate incident.
In a victim impact statement read at the District Court on Friday, February 7, the officer shared how the event “tipped her life upside down” and left her “frozen in pain.”
She said, “2022 was the worst year of my life, physically and mentally,” and added, “I try my best to enjoy my job but I don’t think I can remain as a police officer due to the trauma of this incident.”
She emphasised that her health was more important than being “treated like a speed bump.”
The incident occurred when police spotted Parissos speeding along Sir Donald Bradman Drive in a black Range Rover. As officers attempted to arrest him, he reversed the vehicle, dragging the female officer for several metres before fleeing.
Parissos later abandoned the car near Grange Rd, but ran into oncoming traffic and was hit by a car, suffering a broken neck. Both he and the injured officer were hospitalised.
Parissos had also stolen a police car in December 2021. In that incident, he was confronted by police while on a motorcycle, leading to a dramatic chase. One officer was thrown 10 metres from the vehicle, suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Parissos, from West Lakes, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including dangerous driving and hindering a police officer. His lawyer acknowledged the “catastrophically bad” decisions made by Parissos, who was under the influence of drugs at the time.
Parissos, who had previously worked at his father’s seafood business, has since apologised to the officers. Sentencing is scheduled for March.
Source: The Advertiser.
