Three teenaged boys have been charged following the death of a motorcyclist in Gunnedah yesterday.
About 7.15am, on Tuesday (28 January 2025), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol attempted to stop a ute – which had been reported stolen from Moree – on the Kamilaroi Highway, west of Gunnedah.
The ute failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
On the Kamilaroi Highway at Gunnedah, the ute collided with a motorcycle.
Police stopped to assist the motorcycle rider who was critically injured. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.
The ute 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 ute left the road with three occupants allegedly running from the scene.
Following a search, three boys, all aged 14, were arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station.
Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) examined the scene.
A 14-year-old boy, who police will allege was the driver, has been charged with 15 offences,
• 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, and
• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
The other two boys, both aged 14, have each been 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, and
• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
All were refused bail to appear in a children's court today (Wednesday 29 January 2025).
A critical incident investigation team from Orana-Mid Western Police District is continuing their investigation into the surrounding yesterday's incident.
That investigation is also subject to an independent review.
