17yo charged after crash in allegedly stolen ute chased by police
A 17-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly driving a ute into two other cars during a police chase, leaving three women in critical condition.
A teenager who was allegedly behind the wheel of a ute that crashed into two other cars during a police chase – leaving three women critically injured – has been charged.
Officers began pursuing a Ford Ranger ute at about 11pm on Wednesday when they saw it allegedly speeding through a red light on Elizabeth Drive in Liverpool.
The initial pursuit was called off due to safety concerns, but the driver allegedly continued to speed and run red lights.
Police allege the 17-year-old driver tried to reverse into a police vehicle, with officers then resuming their pursuit.
Shortly after, the ute allegedly ran a red light and crashed into a BMW sedan and Toyota Yaris at the intersection of the Hume Highway and Moore St.
The passenger of the BMW, a 21-old-woman, remains fighting for life in Liverpool Hospital on Thursday morning.
She was trapped for at least 30 minutes in the car and is now in an induced coma, 7News reports.
Images from the scene show the devastation of the crash, with the BMW’s front crumpled and roof ripped off.
The driver and another passenger of the car, aged 21 and 20 respectively, were also rushed to the same hospital in a serious condition. They are now in critical but stable conditions.
The alleged driver of the stolen ute was arrested after he was taken to Fairfield Hospital for checks.
He now faces eight charges including two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
Police also allege that the boy has never held a driver’s licence.
He has been refused bail and will appear at a children’s court on Thursday.
South West Metropolitan Region Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said on Thursday that there was “absolutely no suggestion” police should be blamed for the serious collision.
“It’s abhorrent that he (allegedly) continued his behaviour and attempted to reverse into a police vehicle as an act of defiance,” he said.
The crash has since been declared a critical incident, with an independent team from Burwood Police Area Command to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This investigation will then be reviewed by the NSW Police Professional Standards Command.
The 28-year-old driver of the Toyota was also taken to hospital but has since been released.
Police have confirmed that the ute involved in the crash was reported stolen from Liverpool on Tuesday.
Originally published as 17yo charged after crash in allegedly stolen ute chased by police
