Three teenage boys have appeared in court following a fatal crash that claimed the life of an innocent motorcyclist during a police pursuit in Gunnedah, located in north-western New South Wales.
The victim, 52-year-old Daniel McNamara, was traveling from Narrabri to Tamworth when his motorcycle was struck by a stolen ute, allegedly driven by a 14-year-old boy, with two passengers of the same age.
McNamara was exiting a service station when the collision took place.
Daniel McNamara, aged 52, was on his way to Tamworth from Narrabri when he was hit by a stolen ute, which was allegedly being driven by a 14-year-old boy.
His brother, Adam, revealed that he had spoken to McNamara earlier that morning and had received a text message confirming he was en route to Tamworth.
According to police, the Isuzu D-Max involved in the crash had been stolen from a residence in Moree.
The three teenagers, all aged 14, appeared in court today, where it was disclosed that the boy allegedly driving the stolen ute had a lengthy criminal record spanning 38 pages and had breached bail conditions over 90 times.
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Another of the teenagers was reportedly out on bail from the Supreme Court at the time of the incident, having been released only a few weeks prior. Authorities allege he had previously broken into another home in Moree and stolen a vehicle.
The third boy was said to have violated bail conditions four times in a single day, as stated in court.
All three were denied bail.Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol had initially attempted to pull over the ute on the Oxley Highway at around 7:15 a.m. yesterday.
When the vehicle failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit.The stolen ute subsequently collided with a motorcycle on the Kamilaroi Highway.
While police stopped to assist the injured rider, the ute continued driving.
The motorcycle rider sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them at the scene while paramedics were attending to him.
Meanwhile, another group of officers resumed pursuit of the fleeing vehicle.
The chase ended in the nearby town of Carroll, where the Isuzu D-Max lost control and crashed. The occupants of the vehicle allegedly attempted to flee on foot but were later apprehended by authorities.
Following their arrest, a 14-year-old boy, who police claim was the driver, was charged with 15 offences, including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving, failing to stop in a police pursuit, and break-and-enter.
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The two other boys were each charged with five offences related to the alleged theft of the ute.
Additionally, police allege that the driver and his passengers had blackened or otherwise concealed their faces.
A critical incident investigation team has been assigned to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, and an independent review will also be conducted.