A man will face court today after allegedly assaulting police, leaving the scene of a crash and refusing a breath analysis at St George, in Sydney's south.
About 4.45pm yesterday (Saturday 16 February 2019), St George Highway Patrol officers were on Rocky Point Road assisting with an unrelated incident when they saw a vehicle cross to the incorrect side of the road and hit another vehicle.
The male driver left the crash scene and has allegedly driven towards a police officer conducting road closures.
The vehicle has entered the crime scene area and stopped moments later.
The driver was arrested, and a search of his vehicle located an extendable baton.
The man has allegedly spat at officers and refused a roadside breath test and subsequent breath analysis.
He was charged with refusing a breath test, refusing a breath analysis, leaving the scene of a crash, failing to keep left, possessing a prohibited weapon, assaulting police and malicious damage.
He was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Bail Court later today.
Operation Drink Drive 1 began at 12.01am on Friday 15 February 2019 and concludes at 11.59pm on Sunday 17 February 2019.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command's Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said these operations highlighted that the overwhelming majority of people understood the dangers of drinking and driving.
"The ongoing challenge for all of us, is getting through to the stubborn minority who believe that nothing can or will happen to them if they take control of a vehicle while drunk.
"They have little regard for their own safety and even less for the wellbeing of the community and my officers," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Some examples of inappropriate driver behaviour detected on Day Two of Operation Drink Drive 1 include –
Williamtown – A 25-year-old man will face court on a high-range drink driving charge after police received a Triple Zero (000) call about a vehicle being driven on Nelson Bay Road. Police stopped the vehicle on Tomago Road at Tomago. The driver, a 25-year-old man, underwent a roadside breath test which returned a positive result. He was arrested, and a subsequent breath analysis returned a reading of 0.218. The man's licence was suspended, and he was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offence of high-range drink driving. He will appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 8 April 2019.
Engadine – Just after 2am today (Sunday 17 February 2019), a 22-year-old Elderslie woman was driving a Kia Rio along the Princes Highway at Engadine. As the car neared the intersection of Anzac Avenue, it has driven over a concrete island. It will be alleged police saw the car stop shortly after the crash. The driver was spoken to and a roadside breath test returned a positive result. The woman was arrested, and a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.151. Her P1 licence was seized and suspended. By way of a Court Attendance Notice, the woman will be appearing in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 14 March 2019 to answer an allegation of driving with a high range PCA.
Normanhurst - About 5.05pm yesterday (Saturday 16 February 2019, police responded to calls after other motorists became concerned for the welfare of a driver of a vehicle stopped in the middle of Pennant Hills Road at Normanhurst. He was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics and cleared of injury. The driver, a 26-year-old Kellyville man, was subjected to a sobriety assessment, arrested and taken to Hornsby Hospital to provide a blood and urine sample. A search of his car recovered a number of items, believed to be prohibited drugs. He was charged with supplying prohibited drugs (indictable quantity) and refused bail. Police will await the results of the medical tests to determine if any further legal action is required.
Key provisional statistics for Operation Drink Drive One - compiled from 15 February 2019
Lives lost – 4
Fatal crashes – 4
Speeding Infringements issued – 1525
Total Breath Tests – 148,668
Drink driving charges – 120
Seatbelt/helmet infringements issued - 300
