A man who allegedly went on a high-speed rampage on Queensland’s busiest highway remains in an induced coma, despite being due to face court.
Vito Virzi, 35, was placed in an induced coma due to his level of drug intoxication while allegedly driving in excess of 200km/h on the M1 on Monday.
Terrified witnesses filmed the car speeding on the wrong side of the road before a man was tackled to the ground by police at Gaven.
Police allege Mr Virzi sped southbound on the M1 from Ormeau, forcing other cars off the road before eventually running out of petrol.
“We were terrified, especially because when he came past us he was centimetres from our car (and) travelling that fast,” witness Emily Barr said.
Officers used pepper spray and deployed a taser in an attempt to control Mr Virzi.
Four police officers suffered cuts and bruises during the arrest and had to undergo disease testing after being spattered with Mr Virzi’s blood.
Police allege he had consumed the drug GHB, known as “ liquid fantasy”, before the incident unfolded.
He remains under police guard at Gold Coast University Hospital and will appear at the Southport courthouse when he is discharged from hospital.
He faces six charges, three of which are for seriously assaulting police officers.
