Man charged after fatal Port Stephens crash

newy.com.au – A man has been charged after a fatal single-vehicle crash in Port Stephens late last year.

Police said officers were patrolling The Bucketts Way at Limeburners Creek, about 12 kilometres east of Clarence Town, about 10.30pm on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when they found a 36-year-old man on the side of the road.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were told the man’s vehicle had crashed nearby.

A short time later, police found the vehicle, which had left the road and crashed into a tree.

A 35-year-old woman who was a passenger in the vehicle was found dead and could not be revived.

The driver was taken to John Hunter Hospital for assessment and mandatory testing.

The Crash Investigation Unit began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Following extensive inquiries, police arrested the 36-year-old man at Newcastle Police Station on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death-drive under influence, negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving, drive vehicle with illicit drug present in blood, drive motor vehicle while licence suspended, and not give particulars to police.

Police will allege in court the driver was under the influence of methamphetamine and his licence was suspended at the time of the crash.

He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 on Wednesday, April 29, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.