Woman charged after fatal crash into dam at Tenterfield

A woman has been charged following an investigation into a fatal crash in the State’s New England region last year.

About 3.30pm on Wednesday 10 September 2025, emergency services were called to a dam on the Bruxner Highway near Bryans Gap Road, Tenterfield, following reports a car had crashed.

Officers attached to New England Police District were told a black SUV had crashed into a tree before entering the dam and became submerged.

The passenger – a 11-year-old girl – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics after being pulled unresponsive from the water; however, she died at the scene.

The driver – a 50-year-old woman – was also pulled from the water and treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Tenterfield Hospital in a stable condition.

Police established a crime scene with officers attached to Crash Investigation Unit commencing an investigation into the incident.

Following inquiries, yesterday (Monday 8 June 2026), a 50-year-old woman attended Tamworth Police Station where she was issued a Court Attendance Notice for

– Dangerous driving occasioning death drive under influence

– Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous

– Negligent driving (occasioning death)

– Drive vehicle under influence of drugs, and

– Drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood.

She is due to appear at Tenterfield Local Court on Thursday 30 July 2026.

/Public Release. View in full here.