A teenage driver remains in custody following a serious crash that left 11 people injured, one critically, at Lake Macquarie overnight.
Just before 1.10am (Saturday 26 September 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling the Edgeworth area, when they saw a Holden Commodore, leave a service station on Main Road.
Due to the manner of driving, police conducted a U-turn with the intention of stopping the vehicle.
The Holden continued to travel along Main Road and proceeded through a red traffic control light at the intersection of Garth Street, colliding with a Toyota HiAce passenger van, being operated as a taxi.
Ten people were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for various injuries and taken to John Hunter Hospital.
The taxi driver, a 46-year-old man, and two female passengers, aged 42 and 24, suffered serious injuries. The younger woman remains in a critical condition and the driver in a serious but stable condition.
Three further taxi passengers – men, aged 28, 35, and 47 - suffered minor injuries.
Three passengers in the Holden - two girls, aged 14, and a 17-year-old boy - suffered serious injuries. The Holden driver and a fourth passenger, both aged 17, suffered minor injuries.
The Holden driver was arrested and subjected to a roadside breath test, returning a positive result.
He was taken to hospital, under police guard, where he underwent mandatory testing.
The teen has since been conveyed to Toronto Police Station, where he remains in custody.
As inquires continue, any witnesses or anyone with dash cam vision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.
