Two tradies who gave chase and filmed an alleged drunk driver crash into other vehicles on the Gold Coast have been criticised by police, who haven’t ruled out pressing charges against the pair. 

Jordan Matterson and his mate Jack Stanley were driving in Helensvale on Wednesday afternoon when they encountered a driver in a ute allegedly colliding with other cars, drifting off the road and swerving into oncoming traffic.

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The pair filmed what they saw as they kept up with the other driver, and at one stage followed him up and over a footpath (pictured in the above gallery) as he got around a red light at an intersection. They said they used their hazard lights to warn other motorists of the danger. 

Stanley (left, above) and Matterson (right) followed the man until he stopped, and gave police the address. Officers caught up to the 49-year-old driver and arrested him. He has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, and failing to provide specimen breath for analysis. He will face Southport Magistrates Court on November 18.

“The police weren’t rocking up so I was like, well, detectives we are for the arvo,” Matterson told Channel Seven News. “I spoke to the sergeant when they rocked up. All they could do was pat us on the back and shake our hand and say, ‘Well done, boys.’”

However, Chief Superintendent Craig McGrath of the Gold Coast Police took a very different view in a press conference held after the alleged incident, saying, “The footage of both drivers is quite distressing. This could have had dire consequences.

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“It’s really important that being vigilant is not the same as conducting yourself as a vigilante … This could have been a fatality or [resulted in] people suffering catastrophic injuries. It’s an important reminder, if someone sees someone commit an offence, not to take the law into their own hands.”

According to the ABC, Nine and Channel Seven, Matterson and Stanley are now being investigated by police for their actions and charges have not been ruled out. 

However, Matterson, who operates Mattos Mowing & Property Maintenance, used the drama in an ad for the business posted on Facebook (pictured above), writing: “Seen us on the news? We can sort your lawns too … Mention “ROAD RAGE” when booking for 10% off.”

WhichCar by Wheels has contacted Queensland Police for comment.