About 1.15am today (Tuesday 13 January 2026), officers attached to Central West Police District were conducting patrols in east Orange, when they attempted to stop a Ford hatchback.
Police activated their emergency lights and sirens behind the vehicle on Phillip Street near Jilba Street; however, the driver allegedly failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued more than 17 kilometres north out of Orange on Ophir Road, with the vehicle allegedly reaching speeds of 135km/hour in a signposted 100km/hour zone.
During the pursuit, the hatchback crashed rolling off the road. Officers assisted the driver from the vehicle, while two passengers extracted themselves.
All three occupants of the vehicle were taken to Orange Hospital for evaluation with reports of minor injuries.
The 37-year-old driver was taken to Orange Police Station upon his release from hospital, where he was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed, and never licensed person drive vehicle on road. He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 4 today (Tuesday 13 January 2026).
