Penang: Police are tracking down a driver who hit 12 vehicles while being pursued by a patrol unit for over 20 kilometres before escaping in an incident here yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a video of the incident has since gone viral on social media. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the vehicle was spotted under suspicious circumstances in Green Lane, and when ordered to stop for inspection, the driver sped off towards Persiaran Gurney.

'The patrol unit continued the pursuit as the man attempted to evade arrest. He eventually escaped after about 20 kilometres, and efforts to locate him are ongoing. We have received 12 police reports from individuals whose vehicles were struck during the chase, with varying degrees of damage reported,' he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He added that investigations are ongoing under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Earlier, a 43-second video circulating on social media showed a patrol unit chasing a speeding vehicle that collided with several cars along Persiaran Gurney.