Minor damage: The police car hit by a motorist in the Ballarat CBD last night. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER.
A CAR rammed a police vehicle side-on after running a red light and hitting a Ballarat woman's car in the CBD last night, police say.
The offending vehicle was travelling north on Lydiard Street when the collisions occurred, just after 10.40pm.
Detective Senior Constable Jeff Highthorn said as the car approached the intersection with Sturt Street, the driver observed a police vehicle further ahead on Lydiard Street.
"He crashed through the red light and hit a Hyundai Getz, causing it to spin around," he said.
"He then continued on through the intersection, drew alongside the police vehicle and rammed it side-on."
"It was like something out of the movies."
Detective Senior Constable Highthorn said when both vehicles stopped outside , the driver left his vehicle and was acting "agitated" towards police.
Uniformed members subdued him with capsicum spray before he was taken to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital for observation.
A 21-year-old Buninyong man is expected to be interviewed over the incident this afternoon.
Witnesses emerging from nearby JDs Sports Bar observed four police vehicles arrive quickly on scene, followed by paramedics and a tow truck.
A 22 year old Ballarat woman driving the Hyundai was not injured by the collision, but police say her vehicle was significantly damaged.
The police divisional van involved in the incident suffered moderate damage and is being repaired today.
No police members were injured during the incident.
