A man remains in custody under police guard following a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash in the Hunter Valley in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Around 2.20am (Sunday 24 August 2025), officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a Holden Commodore allegedly being driven dangerously on the New England Highway near Muswellbrook.
When the driver failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit, which continued towards Whittingham. Road spikes were successfully deployed, but the chase was called off shortly after due to safety concerns.
A short time later, the same vehicle was spotted on the Hunter Expressway near Loxton, prompting a second pursuit. That chase was also terminated for safety reasons.
Just before 3am, the Commodore collided with another car on Main Road at Cliftleigh. Police said the 34-year-old male driver fled the scene on foot before being arrested nearby. A syringe was allegedly seized during his arrest.
The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the second vehicle, a 38-year-old woman, was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.
Following investigations, the man has since been charged with multiple offences, including:
- Two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly
- Not keep left of dividing line (not class B/C vehicle)
- Not keep left of oncoming vehicle – motor vehicle
- Not keep left of median strip – motor vehicle
- Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road
- Use uninsured motor vehicle
- Class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h (estimated)
- Class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 10km/h (radar)
- Not give particulars to other driver
- Assault police officer in execution of duty (without aggravated bodily harm)
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
A crime scene was established at the crash site, and detectives are continuing their inquiries.
