Norwegian police used a spike strip to stop a motorhome driving the wrong way on the E6 highway early Monday after a prolonged chase from Lillestrøm into Oslo. The incident, which began around midnight, saw the vehicle drive against traffic on one of the nation's busiest roads before its final stop at Furuset. Police report no injuries and only minor damage to patrol cars.
A Dangerous Start on Robsrud
Operations manager Christian Svela stated police were first contacted at 12:20 AM regarding the motorhome. The initial report alleged the vehicle had tried to drive at a couple in a car at the Circle K station on Robsrud. This prompted the first police response. By 12:30 AM, officers had located the motorhome traveling northbound on the E6 near Skedsmovollen in Lillestrøm. Police attempted to pull it over using lights and sirens, but the driver did not stop.
Chase Turns to Oncoming Traffic
When initial signals failed, police deployed additional resources to try and stop the vehicle. The situation escalated when the motorhome turned around and entered the E6 driving southbound in the northbound lanes. This wrong-way driving occurred near Skedsmovollen, with the vehicle now heading toward Oslo against the flow of traffic. This created an extreme danger for other motorists on the key arterial road linking the capital to eastern and northern regions. The E6 in this area is a major commute route, and even at that hour, it carries significant traffic.
Spike Strip Ends the Pursuit
Faced with a vehicle refusing to stop and driving against traffic, police employed several tactics. Svela noted that officers attempted to halt the motorhome multiple times. The decisive measure was the deployment of a spike strip, a device used to deflate a vehicle's tires safely. This finally brought the pursuit to an end. The motorhome was stopped on the E6 at Furuset, a district within Oslo's city limits. The driver, the sole suspect, was apprehended at the scene without further incident.
Suspect in Health Care Custody
Following the arrest, police confirmed the suspect was taken into health care custody. This standard procedure indicates authorities have concerns about the individual's mental or physical state and require a medical assessment. The police statement emphasized that no individuals were injured during the entire event. It also noted that any material damage was limited to minor impacts on police patrol vehicles, suggesting no serious collisions occurred despite the high-risk nature of the wrong-way driving.
Context of Oslo's Eastern Corridor
The chase traversed a critical part of the Greater Oslo transportation network. Starting in Lillestrøm, a major commuter hub in Akershus county, the motorhome traveled along the E6 toward the capital. This corridor is densely populated and heavily trafficked. The termination point at Furuset is just inside Oslo's eastern boundary, indicating police contained the threat before it reached the more densely built-up inner city. The effective conclusion of the pursuit likely prevented a more dangerous situation in areas with complex intersections and higher potential traffic volumes, even late at night.
Legal and Procedural Next Steps
The suspect now faces serious charges. Wrong-way driving on a motorway is a major traffic violation under Norwegian law, typically resulting in a substantial fine and license suspension. Given the allegations of attempting to drive at another vehicle at the Circle K station, additional charges related to threats or reckless endangerment are probable. The police investigation will reconstruct the full sequence of events, reviewing witness statements, any available CCTV footage from the gas station and highway cameras, and data from the motorhome itself. The health care assessment will factor into the legal proceedings, determining the suspect's fitness for questioning and potential criminal responsibility.
A Close Call for Commuter Route
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of even the most modern road systems. The E6 is a backbone of Norwegian infrastructure, and its safety is paramount. Monday's event, while resolved without physical harm, disrupted a vital route and required a significant police mobilization. It underscores the constant challenge for emergency services: to neutralize a moving threat on a public road while protecting innocent bystanders. The successful use of a spike strip ended a situation that, given the direction of travel, had the potential for far worse consequences. The investigation will now seek to answer the critical question of what prompted the driver's actions in the first place.