Additional charges have been laid after a critical incident was declared following a pursuit in the state's west earlier this year.
About 11.15pm on Thursday 27 February 2025, officers attached to Orana-Mid Western Police District were called to a reported robbery at a service station on Burroway Road Narromine.
Police were told four teenagers left the scene in a SUV before officers arrived.
About 12.10am on Friday 28 February 2025, police were patrolling the Mitchell Highway, about 15km from Nyngan, when they attempted to stop the SUV.
When it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated however, it was terminated a short time later.
About 12.45am, a pursuit was reinitiated on the Mitchell Highway, Coolabah, after road spikes were successfully deployed.
About 1.30am, the pursuit was terminated after the SUV had rolled on Weir Road, Bourke.
Officers immediately rendered assistance to the four occupants of the car however, one of the occupants – a 17-year-old boy – died at the scene.
Two boys – aged 13 and 16 – were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Bourke Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 14-year-old boy was airlifted to Sydney Children's hospital in a serious condition.
Initial inquiries revealed the SUV was reported stolen from a home in the Blayney area on Wednesday 26 February 2025.
An investigation was established under Strike Force Exter to continue investigations into the driver at the time of the crash.
A critical incident team from Oxley Police District commenced a separate investigation into the death of the boy.
Following inquiries, on Saturday 1 March 2025, two boys – aged 13 and 16 – were taken to Dubbo Police Station after they were released from hospital. The pair were charged and remain before the courts.
On Tuesday 6 May 2025, Strike Force detectives arrested the same 16-year-old boy at a home in Bourke. He was charged with a number of offences.
Following further inquiries, the 16-year-old boy was charged with the additional offences of manslaughter, and drive vehicle with illicit drug present in blood, today (Friday 27 June 2025).
He is due to face a children's court on Thursday 10 July 2025.
