Tragedy on the Highway: Teenager Dies in Stolen Car Crash After Dramatic Police Pursuit in Hunter Valley
- A 17-year-old boy is dead and four others injured after a Honda, allegedly stolen from Wallsend, crashed during a police pursuit on the New England Highway.
- The 14-year-old driver and a 17-year-old passenger have been charged over the fatal incident, with the young driver facing a string of serious offences including dangerous driving occasioning death.
- The critical incident is now the subject of an independent review, with investigators trying to piece together the events leading up to the tragic crash.
Newcastle, NSW: A community is in shock after a stolen car crash claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy in the Hunter Valley. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday night when highway patrol officers engaged in a high-speed pursuit with the allegedly stolen Honda on the New England Highway at Aberdeen.
The dramatic chase ended in disaster when the car crashed just past Makybe Diva Street at Scone, trapping the driver and one of the 17-year-old passengers in the front of the car. Despite being freed by paramedics, the teenager tragically died at the scene.
The remaining occupants of the vehicle, including the 14-year-old alleged driver, a 17-year-old passenger, and a 25-year-old woman, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The woman remains under police guard.
The 14-year-old driver has been charged with a string of serious offences, including initiating a police pursuit while not stopping, driving a stolen vehicle, driving recklessly and furiously, and dangerous driving occasioning death. He was refused bail and will appear before a children’s court today.
The 17-year-old passenger was charged with riding in a stolen vehicle and was granted bail, with his case set to be heard on September 24. The 25-year-old woman will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
A critical incident team is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, which is also subject to an independent review.