TWO women have been taken to hospital with minor injuries after a head-on accident on the Princes Highway at Nowra following a terminated police pursuit.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police first noticed the silver sedan in East Nowra at 8.49pm allegedly driving without headlights.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle to undertake a random breath test.
Police activated lights and sirens but the vehicle failed to stop leading police on a pursuit through a number of East Nowra streets, onto the Princes Highway and north to Bomaderry before returning to Nowra.
Two police vehicles were initially involved in the pursuit while more cars blocked side streets.
It is beleived the vehicle re-entered the Princes Highway at Worrigee Street, Nowra and crossed to the incorrect side of the roadway, travelling north on the southbound lane.
It was then officers terminated the pursuit.
Shoalhaven Local Area Command Acting Inspector Paul McCann said between 30 seconds and a minute later the vehicle collided head-on with another sedan, travelling south on the highway near the speed camera, opposite the Shoalhaven City Council administrative building.
Inspector McCann said the pursuit lasted for around 20 minutes before police terminated the chase.
“It was a relatively low speed pursuit, although at one stage it did reach 100km/h in a 70km zone,” he said.
“There was little or no traffic at the time of the pursuit.”
Two women were injured in the crash and both were taken to Shoalhaven Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the alleged offending vehicle suffered a laceration to her leg and will undergo mandatory drug and alcohol tests. She was been placed under guard at the hospital.
The other woman, believed to be in her 60s, suffered minor injuries, mainly due to the seat belt.
The highway was blocked for more than an hour with traffic diversions put in place around the accident scene.
Inspector McCann said investigations into the incident would be on going.
He reminded motorists to take care on the road over the October long weekend.
“Police will be out in force for Operation Slow Down and, of course, double demerit points are in place,” he said.
“We advise all motorists to slow down, not to drink and drive and to wear their seat belts.
“They should also be aware of fatigue issues while travelling.
“Generally obey the road rules.”