A woman has been charged following a fatal pursuit in the state’s Hunter over the weekend, as critical incident investigation continues.
Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a Honda travelling on the New England Highway at Aberdeen, about 11.55pm, Saturday 6 September 2025, due to the speed at which the vehicle was being driven.
When the driver allegedly failed to stop when directed, a pursuit was initiated which continued north along the highway until it crashed about 100m north of Makybe Diva Street at Scone.
The driver – a 14-year-old boy – and a 17-year-old boy occupying the front-seat were trapped.
Once released, they were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however the 17-year-old boy died at the scene.
The driver and three back-seat passengers – two boys aged 14 and 17 and a 25-year-old woman – were taken to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Initial inquiries indicate the vehicle was reportedly stolen from a business in Walford Street, Wallsend, sometime after 5pm on Saturday 6 September 2025.
Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit attended and examined the scene.
A critical incident investigation team from Tuggerah Lakes Police District commenced an investigation surrounding the incident under Strike Force Willgoyne.
Following inquiries, the 14-year-old driver was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous and aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – escaping pursuit.
He appeared before a children’s court today (Tuesday 9 September 2025). He was granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 20 October 2025.
The 17-year-old passenger was charged with be carried in conveyance taken w/o consent of owner.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
The 14-year-old passenger will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
Following further inquiries, today (Tuesday 9 September 2025) a passenger – a 25-year-old woman – was charged with being carried in conveyance taken without consent of the owner.
She was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
A critical incident team is continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The incident is also subject to an independent review.