UPDATE: Startling new footage has been released showing the harrowing moments leading up to a deadly police chase that claimed the lives of two young men in Sydney. Jebriel Dandan, 24, and Seifeddine Malas, 25, died in a horrific car crash on January 24, 2023, after a high-speed pursuit that reached speeds exceeding 200 km/h.
The footage, made public by the New South Wales Coroners Court, captures the police vehicle racing down Centenary Drive towards the M4 Motorway. The video reveals limited visibility as officers accelerated around a bend while trying to keep pace with Malas’s Audi sports sedan.
During the chase, the police car was clocked at speeds of approximately 165 km/h before exceeding 200 km/h while overtaking other vehicles, including a truck. The crash occurred when Malas lost control, crashing through a guard rail before the vehicle overturned and ignited. The exact moment of the crash was not included in the footage released to the court.
Coroner Joan Baptie is currently scrutinizing the actions of the pursuing officers, Senior Constable Peter Miliadis and Constable Martin Williams. Testimonies revealed that the officers did not activate their lights and sirens immediately upon spotting the speeding Audi. Instead, they opted to conduct a speed check by maintaining a significant distance behind the vehicle for nine seconds before initiating a pursuit.
Counsel assisting the inquest, Surya Palaniappan, stated in May that the speeds attained by the police were deemed “excessive.” Although Miliadis was cleared of unsafe driving in July 2023 after an internal review, the appropriateness of his decision to delay alerting Malas and Dandan is under examination. The review’s author, Sergent Grant Howell, defended the actions of the officers, claiming their approach was justified.
Legal representation for the families of the deceased, Solicitor Oussama Elfawal, suggested that the police prioritized “stealth over safety” during the perilous chase. The inquest was also informed that Malas had a history of dangerous driving. At the time of his death, he was subject to a three-year licence disqualification for previously speeding at 176 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.
The tragic incident has sparked significant public concern regarding police pursuit policies and the safety of high-speed chases. The inquest continues to unfold, with further hearings expected in the coming weeks to address the actions of both the police and the circumstances of the crash.
As the families of Dandan and Malas await justice, authorities are under pressure to reassess police procedures in high-speed pursuits to prevent future tragedies.
