26-06-2025
Man charged with manslaughter over fatal crash in Forrestfield, Perth following alleged pursuit
A man has been charged with manslaughter over a fatal car crash that occurred just minutes after he allegedly fled police.
A white Nissan Navara collided with a blue Ford Falcon at Hale Rd and Tonkin Hwy in the Perth suburb of Forrestfield just after 10pm on Wednesday, police said.
The Falcon driver, a man, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene.
An injured female passenger in the same car was taken by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital.
'This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim's family, friends and anyone that's affected by this devastating crash,' Detective Superintendent Gary Saunders said.
'Another innocent life has been lost on our roads through the alleged reckless and dangerous acts of another driver.'
Prior to the crash, police had tried to the pull the Navara over after spotting the vehicle in Wattle Grove, Saunders said.
'It will be alleged the Nissan failed to stop and a short evade incident occurred,' Saunders, from the Major Crime Division, said.
'Due to the erratic driving of the vehicle, police terminated the evade less (than) one minute after it began.'
Police allege at one point in the chase the Navara driver, who was wanted for questioning over an ongoing investigation, crossed onto the wrong side of the road and into incoming traffic.
'We deemed that that's too much of a risk to public safety to continue with the evade so it was discontinued,' Saunders said, adding police turned off lights and sirens and pulled back to normal road speed.
'Approximately three minutes (after ending the chase) the accident occurred.'
Police allege the accused 'failed to stop' at the traffic light-controlled intersection before colliding with the Falcon.
'The Nissan Navara utility spun in the collision, struck a traffic control light before coming to rest on a stationary police vehicle that was parked at the intersection,' Saunders said.
'This police vehicle was not involved in the earlier evade incident.'
Saunders said officers provided immediate first aid and made a quick arrest.
The Navara driver was injured in the crash and taken to RPH.
'In this incident, I will say that the police followed policy and procedure — we don't believe their actions contributed (to) this at all,' Saunders said.
A 26-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter, reckless driving to escape pursuit, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and no authority to drive.
The accused was refused bail and is due to appear in Midland Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers.
