Driver charged after seven car crash kills 12-year-old boy in Baulkham Hills

A man has been charged after a 12-year-old boy died and two people were critically injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Sydney’s north west on Saturday. Police allege John Pagakis was driving a Holden Commodore that hit six stationary cars as he was exiting the M2 in Baulkham Hills.

A man has been charged after a 12-year-old boy died and two people were critically injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Sydney’s north west on Saturday.

Police allege John Pagakis was driving a Holden Commodore that hit six stationary cars as he was exiting the M2 in Baulkham Hills about 7pm on Saturday. Pagakis allegedly ran from the scene but was arrested this morning.

A 12-year-old boy in a Holden Captiva died at the scene while a 36-year-old woman and a five-year-old girl were taken to hospital in a critical condition.

John Pagakis was allegedly behind the wheel of the Holden Commodore when he hit six stationary cars. Picture: 7News

The driver of the Captiva, a 38-year-old man, was taken to hospital for assessment. They are believed to be members of one family.

The driver of another car, a 65-year-old man, and his passenger, a 58-year-old woman, were taken to hospital with minor injuries. The occupants of another four cars escaped unhurt but the drivers were taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

The silver Holden Commodore that hit multiple vehicles before the driver fled the scene. Picture: TNV/Jason Webster

Emergency services discuss how best to deal with the aftermath of the seven-car smash. Picture: Jason Webster/TNV

The crash happened at the intersection of Windsor Road and the M2 just after 7pm on Saturday, when a Holden Commodore travelling on the westbound M2 off ramp, hit a median strip, crossed the northbound lanes of Windsor Road, before hitting a second median strip and striking a stationary Land Rover Defender and Holden Captiva.

The impact caused the Captiva to hit four other vehicles, a Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Toyota Aurion and Land Rover Discovery.

“The only way to describe the crash scene is absolutely horrific. We have had to cut five people out of their vehicles,” Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Kernin Lambert told The Daily Telegraph.

“It was an extremely severe collision. People have been fighting for their lives. We have been trying to keep people alive.”

Police secure the area on busy Windsor Rd at Baulkham Hills. Picture: Jason Webster/TNV

Stretchers are wheeled in for the injured. Picture: Jason Webster/TNV

One witness told the paper he believed the man had been speeding when he entered the exit.

A major police search was initiated including the use of PolAir and the dog unit to track down the driver of the Holden Commodore.

Pagakis was arrested at a house on The Circle, Narraweena, on Sydney’s northern beaches, just before 3.30am on Sunday.

He has been charged with 10 offences including dangerous driving occasioning death.

At Parramatta Bail court on Sunday, Pagakis did not apply for bail and his matter was adjourned to Monday.

Meanwhile a motorcyclist died after hitting a kangaroo near Wellington in the state’s central west.

Police believe the motorcyclist fell off his bike after hitting the kangaroo on Saturday night on Goolma Road, Spicers Creek, about 36km northeast of Wellington. He died at the scene.