A man has been charged, and investigations are continuing after an officer was struck by an alleged stolen vehicle on the state’s Central Coast yesterday.
Just after 9 am, Monday 26 December 2022, police saw a Volkswagen Jetta travelling along the Old Pacific Highway at Somersby that had allegedly been stolen from Albury a few days earlier.
Further police were alerted and a short time later the Volkswagen was sighted by patrolling police at a service station on Manns Road at West Gosford.
It’s alleged the occupants fled without paying for petrol.
A pursuit was initiated which continued through multiple suburbs, however, was terminated due to the alleged dangerous manner of driving.
About 9.20 am, an officer attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command was hit by the vehicle while deploying road spikes on Narara Valley Drive at Narara.
The Volkswagen was driven a further few hundred metres before the occupants abandoned it on Deane Street and fled into nearby bushland.
The 42-year-old senior constable was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital where he is receiving ongoing treatment for serious leg and facial injuries, fractured ribs, and a punctured lung.
Officers from Brisbane Water Police District conducted an extensive search of the bushland, assisted by officers from PolAir, the Dog Unit, and the Traffic and Highway Patrol.
Throughout the afternoon, two men – aged 19 and 24 – along with a 15-year-old boy, were arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station.
The 24-year-old, who police will allege was driving the vehicle, was charged with: Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – escaping pursuit; Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm-manner; Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously; Fail to stop and assist after impact causing grievous bodily harm; Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention; Common assault; Unlicensed driver; and Drive conveyance without consent.
The Toronto man was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Bail Court on Tuesday 27 December 2022.
The passengers were released pending further inquiries.
Source:
NSW Police Media