Update for young dad accused of causing fatal Ashcroft crash

There has been a development for a young father charged with driving dangerously at nearly double the speed limit in a horror crash that killed two teenagers.

A man who has allegedly never held a driver’s licence will remain behind bars after he was charged with speeding at nearly double the speed limit in a horror crash that killed two teenagers.

Nicholas Thew has been in custody on remand for three months after he was charged with speeding and driving dangerously before a fatal crash in Sydney’s southwest on November 6, 2023.

The 27-year-old has been charged with nine offences, including two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, failing to stop and assist, and never holding a licence.

His lawyer Fahim Arya did not apply for his client to be released on bail when he appeared in Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday.

Nicholas Thew has been charged over a horrific crash in Sydney’s southwest that killed two boys. Picture: Supplied

The court was told the Director of Public Prosecutions had taken carriage of the “high-profile case”.

Crown prosecutor Kellie-Anne Chessor asked for Mr Thew’s matter to be stood down for 12 weeks to obtain outstanding police statements for the “extensive” matter.

Magistrate Peter Thompson said he was “amazed” that so much of the material, including CCTV footage of the crash and forensic evidence, had already been collated.

He agreed to adjourn the matter until April 24 and noted Mr Thew had not asked for bail.

The father of two will remain behind bars for the next three months until he returns to court.

The force of the impact ripped the car in half. Picture: Nine News

Two teenage passengers were killed in the crash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Police allege Mr Thew was driving a grey Ford sedan at speeds of 45km/h more than the 50km/h speed limit along Maxwells Ave in Ashcroft on the morning of November 6.

Shortly before 11am, footage from the crash site shows the car veering onto the footpath and crashing into a tree and a power pole. The impact tore the sedan in two.

Two teenage passengers, aged 13 and 14, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 23-year-old passenger was also injured in the crash, which police allege was caused by Mr Thew’s negligent and dangerous driving.

Police allege Mr Thew pulled himself out of the mangled car and was caught on camera as he fled the scene.

According to police, the 27-year-old would have known the impact of the crash could have caused the deaths of his two teen passengers but he failed to stop and render first aid.

CCTV footage captured Mr Thew extracting himself from the mangled wreck.

Police allege he then fled the scene.

He remained on the run for 24 hours before he handed himself into Wetherill Park Police Station on November 7 last year.

The Sadleir resident has been in custody on remand ever since.

He has been charged with two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death with a speed of 45km/h over the limit, two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous, two counts of failing to stop and assist, never holding a licence, cause bodily harm by misconduct and negligent driving occasioning death.

Me Thew has yet to enter any pleas.

Originally published as Update for young dad accused of causing fatal Ashcroft crash