Further charges have been laid following the death of a motorcyclist in Gunnedah earlier this year.
About 7.15am, on Tuesday 28 January 2025, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol attempted to stop a ute – which had been reported stolen from Moree – on the Kamilaroi Highway, west of Gunnedah.
The ute failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
On the Kamilaroi Highway at Gunnedah, the ute collided with a motorcycle.
Police stopped to assist the motorcycle rider who was critically injured. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.
The ute continued through Gunnedah on to the Oxley Highway and further police attended to assist and initiated a second pursuit.
At Carroll, east of Gunnedah, the ute left the road with three occupants allegedly running from the scene.
Following a search, three boys, all aged 14, were arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station.
The boys have been charged and remain before the court.
Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) examined the scene.
The boys reappeared at a children's court yesterday (Wednesday 13 August 2025), where they were additionally charged.
The first boy was charged with,
- Manslaughter
- Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive speed dangerous
- Aggravated enter dwelling with intent - knowing people there
- Steal property in dwelling-house
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed (three counts), and
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception.
The second was charged with,
- Manslaughter
- Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death - escaping pursuit
- Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive speed dangerous (two counts)
- Negligent driving (occasioning death)
- Aggravated enter dwelling with intent - knowing people there
- Steal property in dwelling-house
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed (four counts)
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception (two counts), and
- Breach of bail.
The third boy was charged with,
- Manslaughter
- Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death - escaping pursuit
- Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive speed dangerous (two counts)
- Negligent driving (occasioning death)
- Aggravated enter dwelling with intent - knowing people there
- Steal property in dwelling-house
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed (four counts), and
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception.
All three will reappear before another children's court on Thursday 21 August 2025.
A critical incident investigation team from Orana-Mid Western Police District is continuing their investigation surrounding the incident under Strike Force Kuer.
That investigation is also subject to an independent review.
