'It was like a bomb going off': Police chase ends in four vehicle pile-up

Diesel spewed out the street following the crash involving the man, who Hampshire Constabulary says is connected to a spate of fuel thefts.

The 40-year-old man allegedly ploughed his Ford Focus into three parked cars in Archers Road after he failed to stop for police on Ringwood Road in Totton on Tuesday night.

• 'It was like a bomb going off': Police chase ends in four vehicle pile-up

He had been travelling with a 200litre drum of diesel in the car at the time.

A local resident said there were ten police cars on the scene as well as a fire engine following the incident which happened shortly after 9pm.

She said: “I was in bed with my partner and saw police lights coming up the road through the window.”

"The sound of the crash was like a bomb going off.

“We jumped out of bed because we wanted to see if it was anything dangerous and if we had to leave the house.

“One car was a write-off and I saw another one badly damaged down the side.

“There was diesel all over the road. Bits of the car had gone flying all over and there were bits of bumper everywhere..

“I couldn’t get to sleep I was shaking for 20-minutes after. I couldn’t believe it."

The driver, who is of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of driving without insurance, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop and dangerous driving.

According to police, he was also wanted in connection with a spate of 12 fuel thefts from petrol stations in Romsey, Eastleigh, Southampton, Totton, Bursledon and Titchfield.

Officers add that hundreds of pounds worth of fuel was stolen in the alleged incidents.

A police spokesperson said: “I can confirm that shortly after 9pm last night (April 7) a Ford Focus failed to stop for police on Ringwood Road, Totton. The vehicle collided with parked cars in Archers Road, Southampton. No one was injured. The driver, a man in his 40s of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of driving without insurance, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop and dangerous driving."

The man has been bailed until May 5.