A 14-year-old boy is one of three teenagers charged following the death of a motorcyclist in Gunnedah on Tuesday.
A critical incident investigation was declared after a motorcyclist died following a pursuit with a stolen vehicle. The motorcyclist is believed to be from Narrabri.
A NSW Police spokesperson said officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol attempted to stop an Isuzu D-Max utility at about 7.15am Tuesday – reportedly stolen during a break-in at a Moree home earlier that morning.
The Isuzu failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated travelling towards Gunnedah. On the Kamilaroi Highway near the Gunnedah Saleyards, the Isuzu collided with a motorcycle.
Police stopped to assist the motorcycle rider who was critically injured. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however, he was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
The utility continued through Gunnedah on to the Oxley Highway and further police attended to assist and initiated a second pursuit.
At Carroll, east of Gunnedah, the Isuzu lost control and crashed before the occupants fled.
Following a search, three occupants of the Isuzu, all aged 14, were arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station.
Crime scenes were established at Gunnedah and Carroll with local road closures in place throughout Tuesday.
Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation unit were attending to examine the scene.
The investigation was also subject to an independent review.
A 14-year-old boy, who police will allege was the driver of the stolen vehicle, was charged with 15 offences, including:
• Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – escaping pursuit.
• Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death- speed >45 over limit.
• Dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous.
• Fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death.
• Negligent driving (occasioning death).
• Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm).
• Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence.
• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (three counts).
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed.
• Enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence.
• Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
The other two boys, both aged 14, were charged with five offences:
• Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence.
• Enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence.
• Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
All were refused bail to appear in a children’s court yesterday.
