Teen Driver Charged with Six Offences Following High-Speed M1 Chase
A teenage driver has been arrested and charged with six offences after an allegedly high-speed pursuit along the M1 motorway, which resulted in a collision with another vehicle. The incident occurred on Monday morning near Tuggerah on the Central Coast, sparking a significant police response.
Police Spot Speeding SUV During Enforcement Duties
At approximately 9:25 am, police conducting stationary speed enforcement on the M1 at Mardi observed an SUV travelling northbound at speeds exceeding 150 kilometres per hour in a 110 km/h zone. Subsequent investigations revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen overnight from a residence in Gosford.
Officers immediately signalled for the driver to stop, but when the driver failed to comply, a pursuit was initiated. The chase was short-lived, as police lost sight of the SUV near Halloran and terminated the pursuit for safety reasons.
Abandoned Vehicles and Collision Discovered
A short time later, authorities located the abandoned SUV on a centre median strip of the M1 at Bushells Ridge, alongside another northbound vehicle. It was alleged that the stolen SUV had sideswiped the other car during the incident. The driver of the affected vehicle was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and fortunately reported no injuries.
Search and Arrest of 19-Year-Old Driver
With the assistance of PolAir, police launched a search for the driver, who had fled the scene on foot. The search concluded at 10:40 am when a 19-year-old man was apprehended at Wyee Railway Station. He was taken to Wyong Police Station and formally charged with six offences, including:
- Speeding in excess of the posted limit
- Failing to stop during a police pursuit
- Driving without ever holding a valid licence
- Theft of a motor vehicle
The accused was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before Wyong Local Court on March 4, 2026. This case highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the swift action taken by law enforcement to address such incidents on major roadways.
