Teenager accused of leading police in car chase and hitting pedestrian

A teenager has been charged after allegedly driving a stolen car, failing to stop for police during a chase through Edinburgh and then hitting a female pedestrian.

Officers spotted the stolen vehicle in the West Port area at about 7.50pm on Wednesday and pursued the driver along Lady Lawson Street towards Lothian Road before backing off for safety reasons.

The same car went on to strike a female pedestrian on Princes Street before continuing onto South Saint David Street where it crashed into another vehicle.

Police said a 17-year-old male was later arrested on Market Street after running away from officers.

He has been charged in connection with road traffic offences and released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Emergency services attended and the female pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to minor injuries.

“The driver of the other vehicle wasn’t injured.

“One lane of Princes Street was closed near the Scott Monument for around three hours as inquiries were carried out, which caused some disruption to public transport.

“We would like to thank members of the public who assisted officers in tracing the male.”