A critical incident investigation is underway after a motorcyclist died following a crash with a stolen vehicle at Lake Macquarie overnight.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling Main Road at Toronto about 10pm yesterday (Thursday 1 December 2022), when they saw a ute which had been reported stolen from Wangi that afternoon.
The driver of the ute was directed to stop; however, allegedly ignored the direction. While no pursuit was called, the vehicle was followed to Fennell Bay.
A short time later, police were alerted to a crash at the intersection with Main Road involving the same vehicle, where it hit a motorcyclist. The ute continued onto the footpath and through the front fence of a home before stopping when it became jammed between the fence and house. The driver then allegedly left the scene after stealing a second vehicle.
Police arrived and rendered first aid to the motorcyclist until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived; however, the male motorcyclist was unable to be revived.
The alleged driver of the utility was arrested a short time later in the second stolen vehicle. He's been taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.
The intersection of Bay Road and Main Road is partially closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area for some hours.
A crime scene has been established and a critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
