A man has been charged following a car crash that resulted in several grass fires in the state's south west.
About 7pm yesterday, police received reports of a vehicle driving erratically on the Hume Highway near Tarcutta.
The vehicle allegedly had numerous collisions with guard rails, causing the tyres to become deflated and sending sparks into nearby grassland.
Several significant grassfires started and spread along the highway due to dry and windy conditions.
The vehicle came to a stop approximately two kilometres south of the Snowy Mountains Highway. The centre vegetation median strip and Western side of the Hume Highway between Sturt Highway and Snowy Mountains Highway all suffered significantly sized grass fires.
Officers attached to Riverina Police District attended and spoke to the driver of the vehicle, a 23-year-old man.
Following a search of the man's vehicle, officers located and seized MDMA, cocaine and approximately $17,000 cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
As a result of the fire, the Hume Highway was closed southbound for several hours.
The man was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he was charged with dangerous driving, possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, deal in proceeds of crime, resist/hinder police and additional charges in relation to recklessly causing the fire.
He will be refused bail and is due to face Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Wednesday 27 November 2019).
