NSW Police are appealing for public assistance to find the driver of a rented SUV which they believe could have been involved in up to eight crashes in a three-hour period in Sydney yesterday.
At 8.20am yesterday (Sunday 19 July), Brisbane Water Highway Patrol stopped a grey Holden Equinox on the M1 at Bar Point and the driver was issued a traffic infringement notice for speeding more than 45km/h. The driver, a 35-year-old man from Queensland, had his licence suspended on the spot.
Despite the suspension, less than an hour later at 9:10am, the same vehicle was involved in a collision with a cyclist on the Pacific Highway at Lindfield. The 48-year-old male cyclist suffered abrasions to his hip and elbow.
About five minutes later – and 2km south of the first collision – the same SUV hit another cyclist; this time a 55-year-old man suffered five fractured ribs and a fractured collarbone; he remains in Royal North Shore Hospital.
Both times, Police say, the driver allegedly left the scene without rendering assistance or providing details.
Shortly after 9.35am, the same vehicle was driving the Eastern Distributor Tunnel southbound at Woolloomooloo, when a 2012-model Mercedes C220 was hit from behind by a SUV matching the description. The sedan was spun as a result of the collision, and was left blocking all three lanes. Again, Police say, the SUV did not stop.
The driver of the Mercedes, a 39-year-old man, was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital to be checked as a precaution. He sustained bruising and swelling in the incident.Â
Only minutes later, a Land Rover Sport, being driven by a 52-year-old man, was hit by a SUV as the vehicles were travelling east along Alison Road at Kensington. Again, the SUV failed to stop.
At 9.38am, a man who witnessed the Kensington crash was noting the SUV’s number plate when police allege the SUV driver deliberately reversed towards him, causing another collision. The SUV then again allegedly fled the scene.
At 10am, a 36-year-old man was cycling west along Perry Street at Matraville when he was hit from behind by the SUV, knocking him off his bike. He sustained cuts to his left elbow and back.
At 10.30am, a 39-year-old woman was driving her Forester along Bridge Road at Glebe, when she was struck by an SUV travelling in the same direction. The SUV driver did not stop to assist the woman.
The last linked incident has been reported from Lane Cove at 11:15am when a 59-year-old woman was driving her Subaru Outback north along Epping Road. She has told police an Equinox SUV drove beside her and deliberately swerved into her lane and hit her before leaving the scene.
A description of the wanted vehicle was circulated to police yesterday; however, neither the SUV or the driver have been found.
The vehicle is described as being a 2018-model grey Holden Equinox with Queensland registration, 729ZAB
Police urge anyone with information about the whereabouts of the vehicle or the driver to call Crime Stopper on 1800 333 000.
If the vehicle is seen, do not approach and called Triple Zero (000) immediately.
