Central West Crime Wrap: Woman, two men dead following three separate car crashes

Three people – one woman and two men – have died in three separate car crashes in the state’s central west during the weekend, while a body of a missing man was found in Lightning Ridge. Here is this week’s crime wrap.

There have been multiple deaths and injuries in the state’s central west during the weekend. Picture: Tom Parrish

DUBBO

A man has died following a single car crash in the state’s central west in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Emergency services responded to reports a Toyota 4WD vehicle had left the road and collided with a tree along Gundong Rd, Obley, about 50km south of Dubbo, around 1.20am.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 34-year-old man – died at the scene.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

BOGAN GATE

Henry Parkes Way, Bogan Gate. Photo: Google Maps.

A man died after his 4WD crashed into a tree in the state’s central west on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called after receiving reports a white 4WD vehicle had left the roadway and collided with a tree along Henry Parkes Way, Bogan Gate, near Parkes around 6am on Saturday.

The driver – a man believed to be in his 20s – died at the scene.

Central West Police District officers have commenced an investigation into the incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

MUDGEE

Castlereagh Hwy, Aarons Pass. Photo: Google Maps.

A woman has died while four people were hospitalised following a horrific two-vehicle crash in the state’s central west on Friday.

Emergency services were called to Aarons Pass, south of Mudgee, about 2pm after a southbound ute and a northbound SUV collided in the northbound lane.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers found six people injured, four people in the SUV and two ute.

A 32-year-old woman, who was a front-seat passenger in the SUV, died after she was taken to Mudgee Hospital.

The driver of the SUV – a 34-year-old man – and the front-seat passenger – a 68-year-old man – in the ute were seriously injured and flown to Westmead Hospital.

Two girls – aged two and six – who were back seat passengers in the SUV, were taken by road ambulance to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

They are described to be in a stable condition.

The 54-year-old driver of the ute was taken to Mudgee Hospital with minor injuries and for mandatory testing.

A crime scene was established and investigations are now underway into the circumstances leading to the crash.

DUBBO

A woman has been charged following a house fire in Dubbo. Photo: Google Maps

A woman has been charged following an investigation into a home which was allegedly deliberately set alight in the state’s central west on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to a home on Leavers St, Dubbo, following reports of a house fire about 4pm on Sunday.

Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze, however the home was extensively damaged.

No injuries were reported.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Following inquiries, Casey Walford was arrested at the scene and taken to Dubbo Police Station.

The 44-year-old woman was charged with property damage by fire valued more than $15,000 and was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Monday, where she was formally refused bail.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge.

She will next appear via audiovisual link on June 5.

LIGHTNING RIDGE

A body, believed to be of a man reported missing from Lightning Ridge, has been located.

The 68-year-old man was last seen leaving a community event in the town about 8pm on March 29.

Central North Police District officers were notified when the man could not be located or contacted.

Following extensive inquiries, a geo-tracing alert and a multi-agency search with the assistance of local SES personnel, just after 12pm on Saturday, searchers located the body of a man.

While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be of Rexford Layton Wood.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

DUBBO

Dubbo wanted man. Photo: Police NSW

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a wanted man last seen in the state’s central west.

Brady McLeod, aged 22, is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for firearm offences.

Mid-Western Police District officers have been conducting inquiries into his whereabouts.

McLead is known to frequent the areas around Dubbo, Gilgandra and Coonamble.

He is described as being of caucasian appearance, about 170 to 180cm tall, with a thin build, short brown hair and blue eyes.

MUDGEE

A man has faced court on Monday following a pursuit in the state’s central west on Sunday.

Police were patrolling Chruch St, Mudgee, around 11.25pm when they attempted to stop a Toyota Landcruiser after sighting it had no tail-lights.

When the driver allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated.

During the pursuit, the passenger allegedly threw food out the window and hit the police car.

A short time later the vehicle came to a stop in Cooyal, about 24km northeast of Mudgee, where the passenger exited and fled on foot.

The driver – a man aged 33 – was arrested and taken to Mudgee Police Station.

During a search of the man, police allegedly located and seized crystallised substance believed to be methylamphetamine.

The man was charged with driving recklessly during a police pursuit, driving while disqualified, driving an unregistered vehicle and hindering police in duty.

He was also charged with supplying prohibited drugs, two counts of goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen, custody of knife in public place and possessing housebreaking implements.

Three outstanding warrants were also executed for traffic, firearm, weapon and assault-related offences.

The man was refused bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Monday.