Police have charged a man as part of a critical incident investigation into a serious crash in the state’s Northern Region earlier this week.
Just after 11.10am on Thursday (11 November 2021), officers attached to the Northern Region High Visibility Policing Unit were conducting proactive patrols at Everton Street, Hamilton, when they observed an unregistered red Suzuki Swift.
The driver allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated, before being terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Officers continued patrolling the area and located the Suzuki rolled on its side after colliding with a Toyota Hilux at the intersection of Lawson and Denison Streets.
A rear seat passenger of the Suzuki – a 27-year-old woman – was trapped in the vehicle before being freed by emergency services. She was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she remains in a critical but stable condition.
The driver and two other passengers of the Suzuki fled the scene on foot; however, were located and arrested by police a short distance away.
The two passengers – a 29-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man – were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released.
The driver of the Suzuki – a 38-year-old man – was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition under police guard.
The driver of the Toyota Hilux – a 40-year-old man – and his passenger – a 21-year-old man – were not injured during the incident.
A crime scene was established and examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Following extensive investigations, officers attended John Hunter Hospital and charged the 38-year-old man with 12 offences including;
- Dangerous driving occasion grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous,
- fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm,
- cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle,
- not stop at/before stop line/stop sign,
- negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm),
- police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
- not comply P2 licence condition not display P plates,
- not give particulars to other driver,
- use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road,
- use uninsured motor vehicle,
- driver fails/refuses to disclose his/her identity, and,
- fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury.
The Morisset man was refused bail to appear via AVL at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 13 November 2021).
A critical incident team from the Hunter Valley Police District will continue investigations.
