Motorcyclist killed identified as 14-year-olds front court over fatal crash
Three teenage boys have faced court after an innocent motorcyclist was killed during a police chase at Gunnedah in north-western NSW yesterday.
Daniel McNamara, aged 52, was heading from Narrabri to Tamworth when he was struck by a stolen ute allegedly driven by a 14-year-old boy and two passengers of the same age.
McNamara was pulling out of a service station when the collision occurred.
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Daniel McNamara, aged 52, was heading from Narrabri to Tamworth when he was struck by a stolen ute allegedly being driven by a 14-year-old boy. Getty
His brother Adam said that he had spoken to McNamara that morning, receiving a text that he was on the way to Tamworth.
Police allege the Isuzu D-Max was stolen from a home in Moree.
The three 14-year-olds fronted court today over the crash, with the judge hearing that the boy allegedly driving the stolen ute had a 38-page criminal record and more than 90 breaches of bail.
Another of the teens was on bail from the Supreme Court at the time of the crash and had been released a few weeks ago after allegedly breaking into a separate Moree home and stealing a car.
A third boy has four breaches of bail in one day, the court heard.
All three were refused bail.
Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol tried to stop the ute on the Oxley Highway about 7.15am yesterday.
When the ute did not stop, police engaged in a pursuit.
The ute then struck a motorcycle on the Kamilaroi Highway.
Police stopped to help the rider but the Isuzu kept driving.
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The ute was allegedly stolen by three teens. Nine
The motorcycle rider was critically injured and died at the scene as paramedics were treating him.
Other police then began a second pursuit of the ute.
At the nearby town of Carroll, the D-Max lost control and crashed and the occupants allegedly fled.
After a search, police arrested three 14-year-olds alleged to have been in the ute.
A 14-year-old boy, who police will allege was the driver, has been charged with a string of 15 offences, including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving, failing to stop in a police pursuit and break-and-enter.
The two other boys have both been charged with five offences relating to the alleged theft of the ute.
Police also allege the driver and other passengers had blackened or disguised their faces.
A critical incident investigation team are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
There will also be an independent review.
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