AN unlicensed driver was on parole when he allegedly led police on a pursuit at Jesmond early on Wednesday morning before he struck a traffic controller standing on the roadway, fracturing her pelvis.
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Police allege Tristan Robert McLaren, 30, failed to stop after knocking down the 21-year-old woman and was followed to nearby Kiah Avenue where he jumped from the stolen car and fled on foot before being tackled to the ground.
He was taken back to Waratah police station where he allegedly produced a plastic bag from his anus containing 3.2 grams of methamphetamine, which police said had a street value of $2000.
He was later charged with eight offences, including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm - escaping pursuit, stealing a motor vehicle, police pursuit and possession of a prohibited drug.
Mr McLaren chose not to come up from the courthouse cells to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday afternoon.
His barrister, Isabel Reed, said he would not be entering any pleas or applying for bail and the matter was adjourned for two weeks to determine if the DPP would elect to prosecute.
Emergency services say they were called to Newcastle Road, near the inner-city bypass, about 1.50am on Wednesday after a 21-year-old traffic controller was allegedly struck by a silver Mercedes Benz SUV, which was attempting to evade police during a pursuit.
The woman was on the roadway when she was struck, according to court documents, and Mr McLaren allegedly failed to stop and drove a short distance into Kiah Avenue before getting out of the car and fleeing on foot.
Police said the pursuit had been initiated "only moments earlier" after the vehicle - which had been reported stolen from Salt Ash - was spotted speeding.
"Police immediately rendered assistance to the injured woman while the alleged driver of the stolen SUV was arrested after a being chased down on foot," police said.
The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she underwent surgery for a fractured pelvis.
Mr McLaren was arrested and taken back to Waratah police station where the methamphetamine was discovered.
A crime scene was established and the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit were called in to examine the site.
The scene was shutdown just before 5am on Newcastle Road and part of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at Jesmond also remained closed for several hours causing morning traffic chaos.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Jessica Brown
Jessica began her journalism career in 2009 as a cadet at The Port Stephens Examiner before moving to London for a two-year stint working in magazines and digital publishing. The Lake Macquarie local returned to Australia where she took up a reporting role at The Maitland Mercury. She worked across several rounds including local council, police and property before moving into digital journalism and joining the team at The Newcastle Herald in 2017.
Jessica began her journalism career in 2009 as a cadet at The Port Stephens Examiner before moving to London for a two-year stint working in magazines and digital publishing. The Lake Macquarie local returned to Australia where she took up a reporting role at The Maitland Mercury. She worked across several rounds including local council, police and property before moving into digital journalism and joining the team at The Newcastle Herald in 2017.
Sam Rigney
Sam began his Newcastle Herald career as a night police reporter in 2011. He is an experienced court reporter who has won two national court reporting awards, including the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Court Reporting for his coverage of the Hunter's worst serial rapist. Before working at the Herald, Sam was a sports journalist with the Maitland Mercury where he won awards for his coverage of the Newcastle Rugby League salary cap scandal. Sam is a Novocastrian born-and-bred.
Sam began his Newcastle Herald career as a night police reporter in 2011. He is an experienced court reporter who has won two national court reporting awards, including the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Court Reporting for his coverage of the Hunter's worst serial rapist. Before working at the Herald, Sam was a sports journalist with the Maitland Mercury where he won awards for his coverage of the Newcastle Rugby League salary cap scandal. Sam is a Novocastrian born-and-bred.
