Driver charged after horror crash following police pursuit

The seriously injured driver of an allegedly stolen car involved in a police pursuit and linked to a separate vehicle theft in Sydney’s south-west has been charged with a string of offences.

A horror crash in Sydney’s south-west has seriously injured the driver of an allegedly stolen car involved in a police pursuit.

The crash has been declared a critical incident and will be the subject of an independent review by NSW Police’s professional standards command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

Officers tried to stop the driver of the Renault SUV about 10.40am on Wednesday. When the male driver refused to pull over, they started a pursuit.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the pursuit was cancelled a short time later, but the PolAir helicopter continued to follow the car.

About 11.15am, the SUV, which had been spotted speeding through red lights on Camden Valley Way, turned onto Denham Court Road, where it collided with a ute outside Lockies Hotel.

The SUV crumpled on impact, and the driver, Samual Charchauh, 33, was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious injuries.

On Thursday, Charchauh was charged with aggravated robbery inflicting actual bodily harm, driving dangerously and not stopping during a police pursuit, and driving furiously in a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.

He appeared via video link in Liverpool Local Court, where he was refused bail and remanded in custody to face Campbelltown Local Court on January 9.

The driver of the ute, a 49-year-old man, was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition. A crime scene was established.

Police allege the crashed Renault was involved in the theft of a Mercedes-Benz from Kingsford Smith Avenue in Middleton Grange in Sydney’s south-west about 8.30am Wednesday.

Police said a male entered the Mercedes and tried to drive away, but was stopped by the 39-year-old female owner before she was dragged onto the road and her car stolen. She was taken to Liverpool Hospital with minor injuries.

The car was found abandoned on Richmond Crescent in Campbelltown an hour later and seized for forensic examination. Charchauh has been linked to the theft of the Mercedes-Benz, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident or dashcam or mobile phone footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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