Gunnedah: Three 14yo youths charged after motorcyclist dies in crash during alleged police pursuit

Three youths have been hit with a string of charges after a motorcyclist died during an alleged police chase involving a stolen car just outside a regional NSW town.

A young motorcyclist has died and three 14-year-olds arrested after an alleged police chase on Kamilaroi Hwy in Gunnedah turned deadly on January 28, 2025. Picture: Google Maps.

Three youths have been hit with a string of charges after a motorcyclist died during an alleged police chase involving a stolen car just outside a regional town in the state’s north.

Police will allege an Isuzu D-Max utility, stolen from Moree and carrying three 14-year-olds as it took highway patrol officers on a pursuit, crashed into the motorcyclist in Gunnedah on Tuesday morning, killing the rider.

The alleged stolen car continued out of town before the three teens were arrested and taken to Tamworth police station where they were later charged.

A critical incident investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding the police pursuit and the crash and will be subject to an independent review.

Police allege highway patrol officers attempted to stop the utility on the Kamilaroi Highway, west of Gunnedah about 7.15am on Tuesday.

A crime scene was established and officers from the Orana-Mid Western Police District will take charge of the investigation. (File Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard)

The car was reported stolen from Moree earlier in the morning, police allege.

The Isuzu failed to stop and a pursuit was “initiated travelling towards Gunnedah”.

The three 14-year-olds were taken to Tamworth Police Station where they were later charged. Pic Nathan Edwards

Once near the town’s saleyards, police allege the utility collided with the motorcycle.

The rider suffered critical injuries and died at the scene despite the frantic work of paramedics.

Although he is yet to be formally identified, it is understood he is a young man from a neighbouring town.

The utility continued through Gunnedah on to the Oxley Highway and further police attended to assist and initiated a second pursuit.

The three occupants of the car, all aged 14, were taken into custody in Carroll, about 15km east of Gunnedah, after the utility crashed.

At Tamworth Police Station, one of the teens, who police will allege was the driver, has been charged with 15 offences including: Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – escaping pursuit, aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death- speed >45 over limit, dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death, negligent driving (occasioning death), negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm), face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, three counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly and police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed.

He was also charged with enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.

The other boys, were each charged with face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence, enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

Crime scenes have been established at Gunnedah and Carroll.

A critical incident investigation team from Orana-Mid Western Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation is also subject to an independent review.

Originally published as Gunnedah: Three 14yo youths charged after motorcyclist dies in crash during alleged police pursuit