P-plate driver charged with high-range PCA following two crashes – Hunter Valley

A P-plate driver will face court following two separate crashes in Muswellbrook last night.

Shortly after 6.50pm yesterday (Thursday 25 January 2024), emergency services responded to reports of two crashes, allegedly involving the same vehicle, in Muswellbrook.

Police have been told a 20-year-old man driving a utility was travelling east along the New England Highway, Muswellbrook, when it hit the rear of a Lexus, which was stopped at the intersection of Thomas Street. The utility driver allegedly left the scene without exchanging details with the other driver.

A short time later, the man continued driving east along the New England Highway, when his vehicle allegedly collided with the left side of a Mazda utility, which was stationary at the time.

The man continued driving before his vehicle hit a gutter and came to a stop on John Howe Circuit. The driver of the Mazda followed the man and exchanged details with him, before calling the police.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and submitted the man to a roadside breath test which produced a positive reading.

The man was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where a breath analysis allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.278.

The man was charged with high-range PCA and not give particulars to other drivers after crash. The man is currently a Provisional 2 driver, which is restricted to a 0-alcohol limit.

The driver’s licence was suspended, and he was granted conditional bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 5 March 2024.

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