A 55-year-old Sydney driver who ran away from police after allegedly failing to stop following a crash with a scooter rider will remain in jail until his next court appearance on 8 October 2019.
Police will allege Paul Andrew Brown’s Toyota HiLux utility collided with a Vespa scooter on August 14 at the intersection of Wellbank and Spring streets, Concord.
Image: Google Maps“The driver of the utility allegedly failed to stop to render assistance and continued to drive north on Spring Street,” police say.
The 34-year-old female scooter rider suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where she remains in a stable condition.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit found Brown’s ute parked in North Strathfield about 2.30pm the day after the crash.
After a short foot pursuit, police arrested Brown and took him to Burwood Police Station where he was refused bail.
Brown faced Burwood Local Court the next day charged with failing to stop and render aid, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and not exchange particulars.
He was denied bail and remanded in jail to appear again on Tuesday (27 August 2019) for mention.
Brown’s lawyer has not applied for bail, so he will remain in jail until his next court appearance on 8 October 2019.
Spate of hit-and-runs
The incident follows a worrying spate of hit-and-run crashes leaving motorcyclists injured and dead.
In NSW, the requirement for those involved in a crash to remain at the scene until police arrive was dropped in 2014, even if a tow truck is required.
However, the motorists must report the incident to police and remain at the scene if anyone is injured.
If they don’t, police can charge a motorist with failing to stop at the scene of an accident which is considered a serious offence.
Depending on whether someone is injured or killed in the crash, the motorist responsible could face serious charges with up to 10 years in jail.
Police say motorists leaving an accident scene where someone is injured decrease a victim’s chance of survival.