A man will appear in court today charged with manslaughter following a fatal head-on collision in the state’s Monaro region last week, as a critical incident investigation continues.
About 10.30am last Thursday (30 December 2021), officers attached to Traffic & Highway Patrol Command Traffic South attempted to stop a Holden Commodore on the Monaro Highway, south of Bredbo.
The Holden allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated, before being terminated shortly after due to safety concerns.
About 10.50am, the Holden was again sighted by police travelling north on the Monaro Highway, and a second pursuit was initiated in Williamsdale.
It will be alleged in court that the Holden struck two vehicles before colliding head-on with a Mitsubishi Starwagon, trapping the driver.
The driver and sole occupant of the Mitsubishi – a 56-year-old man – was treated by emergency services; however, was unable to revived and died at the scene.
The driver of the Holden – a 48-year-old man – and a male passenger – aged 55 – were injured and taken to Canberra Hospital, under police guard. The driver also underwent mandatory testing.
On Friday (31 December 2021), the passenger was released from hospital and issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. He will appear at Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday 21 February 2022.
On Saturday (1 January 2022), the driver was released from hospital and arrested by ACT Policing.
He appeared at Canberra Magistrates Court, where investigators applied for, and were granted, his extradition to NSW.
He was escorted to Queanbeyan Police Station and charged with manslaughter, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – escaping pursuit, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, and cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle.
The Moruya man was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Bail Court today (Monday 3 January 2022).
A critical incident team from Wollongong Police District will continue to investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
