Senior police officer issued with notice to appear for alleged drink driving after cars hit on M1

A senior police officer has been accused of drink driving after allegedly striking several vehicles with a ute on the M1 in the Gold Coast.

The man was arrested by Queensland Police Service officers at Palm Beach. Picture: Archive.

A senior northern New South Wales police officer has been accused of drink driving by his Queensland counterparts after allegedly striking several vehicles with a ute on the M1 in the southern Gold Coast.

The 54-year-old man, who was off duty at the time of the incident, was arrested in Palm Beach at about noon on Thursday.

“Gold Coast police have arrested a 54-year-old New South Wales man following the dangerous operation of a vehicle in Palm Beach today (Thursday),” a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said.

“Around midday, a LDV utility was travelling along the southbound lanes of the Pacific Motorway when it struck several other vehicles.

“Police intercepted the vehicle near Stewarts Road and the man was taken into custody without incident.”

A driver in one of the vehicles allegedly struck by the police officer’s ute suffered minor injuries.

After being stopped by Queensland Police the off-duty officer was breath tested, allegedly returning a positive result.

He was taken to Coolangatta Police Station and later issued with a Notice to Appear for a low range drink driving offence.

He will appear before Coolangatta Magistrates Court on Monday April 28.

In a statement, the NSW Police Service said the officer’s “employment status” was “currently under review”.

Investigations into the incident by the Queensland Police Service are continuing.

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Originally published as Senior police officer issued with notice to appear for alleged drink driving after cars hit on M1