Budapest police release footage of high-speed chase ending in terrifying crash – VIDEO
The Budapest Police Headquarters today released footage showing officers apprehending a banned driver who, despite being prohibited from driving, got behind the wheel and crashed into a taxi on Rákóczi Road.
Fled from police, then crashed into a taxi
Traffic officers from the Budapest Police Department (BRFK) attempted to pull over a passenger car near Nyugati Square on the night of 11 July. The driver, 28-year-old György R., initially appeared cooperative, but as officers approached his vehicle, he suddenly sped off. Eyewitnesses described the ensuing chase as something out of an action movie. Motorcycle and patrol car units pursued the suspect from Nyugati Square all the way to Rákóczi Road, as the fleeing vehicle tore through one of the city’s busiest areas at high speed.
Officers followed him to Rákóczi Road, where the suspect’s car collided with a legally operating taxi. The taxi driver sustained minor injuries, while the passenger was seriously hurt. After the crash, the driver and his two passengers attempted to flee on foot, but didn’t get far. György R. was apprehended at the Blaha Lujza Square tram stop, while his companions were captured nearby by officers from the BRFK and the Rapid Response Police Unit.
The police have now released a video of the arrest, showing the fleeing man being pursued on foot and tackled by officers at Blaha, who then handcuffed him. A search of the suspect’s vehicle uncovered substances suspected to be drugs. All three men were taken into custody and subjected to drug tests.
Multiple criminal charges filed
The 28-year-old driver had previously been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and was banned from operating a vehicle. Police have launched an investigation against him on suspicion of endangering road safety, failure to render aid, and possession of drugs. His two passengers are also under investigation for drug possession and failure to render aid.
All three men have been taken into custody, and the court has since ordered their detention.
This chase was especially dangerous
While police chases and banned drivers are unfortunately nothing new in Budapest, such intense and well-documented cases are rarely made public. It’s uncommon for a serious accident to occur at an inner-city intersection—even outside of peak traffic hours—and for the entire incident to be captured on video. The BRFK has reported similar cases in the past year, but this particular pursuit has been highlighted by the department as an exemplary operation.
Efforts to crack down on speeding and reckless driving have shown results. In District II, for example, the number of speeders dropped by nearly 40% compared to last year. While 6,696 speeding violations were recorded in the first half of 2024, that number fell to 3,930 in the same period of 2025. This improvement is largely credited to the effectiveness of traffic monitoring boxes—ten of which are currently in use across the district.
However, today’s tragic case is a reminder that even the strictest enforcement measures and penalties cannot deter everyone. There will always be individuals who disregard the rules and jeopardise others’ lives. That’s why it’s crucial for all drivers to remain alert and cautious—danger can arise when we least expect it.
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