Coutts Crossing man, 47, facing slew of charges after allegedly hitting 80-year-old woman in Wooli van rampage

Police have charged a Clarence driver who allegedly deliberately ran down an elderly woman on a nature strip, tried to ram three more women and smashed his van into multiple vehicles and a home. Here’s the latest.

It was reported several cars and the bowlo’ were hit by a car. Picture: Nikki Voss

Police have charged a Clarence driver who allegedly deliberately ran down an 80-year-old woman on a nature strip, tried to ram three more women and crashed his van into multiple vehicles and a home.

Coffs/Clarence Police were called to the carpark of Wooli Bowling Club on Riverside Dr, Wooli in the Clarence Valley about 3pm on Monday.

NSW Police said in a statement the van “was allegedly deliberately driven into a station wagon and a sedan, both parked in the car park”.

Police raced to the club, but were then told the same van had been driven through the glass door of a home on Banksia St at Minnie Waters and a woman had dodged injuries.

Police outside Wooli Bowling Club after reports a van smashed into the club and two other cars before speeding off. Picture: Nikki Voss

Soon after, reports came in “further vehicles – including a boat and trailer – parked on Acacia St – had allegedly been hit by the same van which failed to stop”.

“Police will allege the same male driver then deliberately swerved onto the wrong side of Grevillia Parade in an attempt to hit two women, both aged 48,” police state.

The women bolted out of the way, but it’s alleged the elderly woman, 80, was deliberately struck by the 47-year-old driver – “the van mounted the kerb and struck her as she stood on the nature strip”, police state.

She was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital to be treated for abrasions and a suspected rib fracture.

A man allegedly deliberately swerved onto the wrong side of Grevillia Parade, Minnie Water, in an attempt to hit two women on Monday.

It’s alleged the driver continued on to Hiawatha Rd and tried to run down a 49-year-old woman standing in the driveway of a home.

She jumped out of the way, but her SUV was allegedly hit by the man in the van.

It’s alleged he then drove to a store on Sandon Rd and tried to force his way inside before he was pushed into a storeroom and held until police arrived and arrested him.

The 47-year-old man was taken to Grafton Hospital where he was treated for a hand injury and underwent testing.

He has been released into police custody and was taken to Grafton Police Station.

Police outside Wooli Bowling Club. Picture: Nikki Voss

The man has been charged with a slew of offences including causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of motor vehicle and failing to stop and assist after an impact causing injury.

He has also been accused of driving a motor vehicle menaces and another with intent, five counts of destroying or damaging property and five counts of not giving particulars to owner of damaged property.

The Coutts Crossing man was refused bail to face Grafton Local Court on Tuesday.

Early reports indicated the elderly woman injured was a man, but police later clarified.

Police outside Wooli Bowling Club. Picture: Nikki Voss

Resident Nikki Voss alleged late on Monday: “Local residents trying to chase the van down was just superb.”

IWooli State Emergency Service (SES) chief and first responder Bruce Bird flew into action.

He helped a person who was knocked down during the incident.

The van was described by residents as white with black markings. Ms Voss, alleged occupants had been camping at the Spit for weeks.

“They’d been creeping the village out,” she said.

“Too bad we have a police station and no police officer stationed here any more. What’s the point of it?”

It was initially reported police were called to a camping ground on Minnie Water Rd, Minnie Water in relation to the van, and that the vehjicle hit the bowlo’, but details of the alleged offending were still emerging late in the day.

Police have urged anyone who may know more, who was in the area or who has dashcam/phone footage to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or to contact Grafton Police Station.

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