A New South Wales Police sergeant has been charged with negligent driving almost two years after a pedestrian was struck by his vehicle on the state's Mid North Coast.
Alleged Incident on Middleton Street
The incident occurred in the early hours of January 5, 2024. The male officer was behind the wheel of a marked police car, responding to a call for assistance, when he allegedly hit a 39-year-old woman on Middleton Street in South Kempsey at approximately 2:20am.
The pedestrian was transported to Kempsey Hospital with injuries that were serious but not life-threatening. She was later transferred to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital for further specialist treatment.
Lengthy Investigation Leads to Charge
Following the crash, a detailed investigation was launched involving both the specialist Crash Investigation Unit and the critical incident team. This process culminated on Wednesday, nearly two years after the event, when the officer was formally issued a court attendance notice for negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The sergeant is scheduled to appear before Taree Local Court on Tuesday, February 10 to answer the charge.
Employment Status Under Review
In a brief statement, a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed that the officer's employment status is now under review, a standard procedure when an officer is charged with a serious offence.
The case highlights the legal processes that follow incidents involving emergency service vehicles, even when the driver was responding to a call at the time.
