NSW: P-plater involved in fatal crash involved in scuffle:Police

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2006
NSW: P-plater involved in fatal crash involved in scuffle:Police

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - A P-plate driver who struck and killed a woman in Sydney's CBD
was then involved in a scuffle with onlookers, police say.

The woman was crossing George Street at the intersection of Goulburn Street with her
boyfriend when they were hit by a van just before midnight (AEDT) yesterday.

The woman, aged 25, was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where she was pronounced dead
on arrival. Her boyfriend is in a critical condition with leg fractures and a tear to
the aorta.

The woman's name has not been released as police are trying to contact her family who
live in China.

Crash Investigation Unit commander Senior Sergeant Peter Jenkins said the van then
hit a Subaru WRX that was travelling south in the opposite direction.

One occupant of the Subaru had to be treated for minor injuries, he said.

He said investigations into the incident were continuing and officers were checking
accounts the van may have run a red light.

Snr Sgt Jenkins dismissed earlier suggestions the van may have been involved in a minor
collision immediately before the incident.

"At this stage it's a rumour to me," he told reporters.

"The driver was seen to be driving irrationally, there is nothing in my reports that
the driver was involved in a prior collision."

He said witnesses had also spoken of an altercation between the male driver of the
van and onlookers immediately after the incident.

"We are led to believe that after the vehicle has finally come to rest the two occupants
have got out, a scuffle has ensued between the occupants of that vehicle and bystanders,"

Snr Sgt Jenkins said.

"Whether it was in relation to them trying to flee the seen or whether it was just
pent up emotion that has to be established."

The van has been impounded for mechanical examination while police have not yet spoken
to the driver who is in hospital with minor injuries.

Police would not say whether the man was a new driver or if he was on a provisional
licence because of past indiscretions.

Despite a recent spate of major accidents involving P-plate drivers, Snr Sgt Jenkins
said police were treating all motorists the same.

"We treat them as a driver, that's who they are, a driver of a motor vehicle," he said.

"Any driver has the same responsibilities whether they are a P-one or whether they
have been driving for 60 years, they all have the same capabilities ... and should take
responsibilities for their actions."

AAP nr/vm/klw/maur/nf

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