Updated ,first published
Two women are dead after a man, who allegedly led police on an hour-long chase across Sydney’s south-west in a stolen vehicle, crashed into their car before being arrested at gunpoint.
Police said the pursuit began soon after Luke Francis, 31, allegedly punched a 25-year-old who was filling up his red Toyota with fuel at a petrol station on King Georges Road in South Hurstville about 10.20am on Saturday.
The 25-year-old fell to the ground after being struck, before Francis allegedly stole his car keys from his pocket as well as his mobile phone, and drove off in the car.
Highway patrol officers in Beverly Hills spotted the car a short time later, and tried to get Francis to pull over. When he did not stop, officers called in more support, including a police helicopter, to chase the car.
The vehicle pursuit was terminated when the Toyota was on the M5 motorway around Bankstown about 10.30am.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said the helicopter continued to track the Toyota as officers considered different strategies to try to stop it.
“I’ve watched the footage … He was driving in what I could describe as one of the most reckless and dangerous demonstrations of driving I’ve seen in a long time,” McFadden said. “He was overtaking vehicles at speed in the breakdown lanes, was crossing onto the incorrect side of the road.”
After evading police for 50 minutes, at the intersection of Remembrance Drive and the Old Hume Highway south of Camden, the Toyota collided with an Alfa Romeo being driven by a 60-year-old woman and carrying an 84-year-old passenger.
“The offending driver has gone up the inside of those vehicles at speed, crossed into the intersection and impacted with another vehicle that had the lawful opportunity to turn right,” McFadden said.
The two people in the Alfa Romeo were treated by police and ambulance paramedics, but both died at the scene.
Francis fled the scene on foot, but was arrested at gunpoint by police on Nepean Avenue, Camden.
Francis was charged with a raft of offences, including dangerous driving causing death, driving recklessly, driving unlicensed and assault with intent to take a vehicle. He was refused police bail to appear in court on Sunday.
“This is a tragic set of circumstances. What we do know is that the 60-year-old driver and 84-year-old passenger, both who died at the scene, are part of an extended family … our hearts and thoughts are with that family at this devastating time,” McFadden said.
“The 31-year-old male that is in custody is well known to us, and he is directly responsible for the death of those two women.”
The driver was taken to Campbelltown Hospital for mandatory testing and was subsequently taken to Campbelltown police station for further questioning.
Police said they had set up several crime scenes. A critical incident team from Burwood Police Area Command would lead the investigation, supported by the St George Police Area Command and the crash investigation unit.
The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.