At approximately 5:00pm on Friday, 22 August 2025, officers from the Far North, Tweed Byron Highway Patrol were conducting stationary breath testing duties on Hinterland Way, Ewingsdale, as part of Operation RAID 2025.

A black Ford Falcon sedan was directed into the testing site but failed to stop, prompting officers to initiate a pursuit. The vehicle entered the Pacific Motorway northbound, reaching speeds well above the posted speed limit and limits for a learner licence holder, he was observed forcing other vehicles off the roadway.

The pursuit continued until the vehicle exited at the Gulgan Road exit and entered Fox Lane Tyagarah, a no-through road. The driver stopped, realising his error and surrendered to police without further incident.

The driver was identified as a 16-year-old male learner licence holder from Queensland. At the time, there were no L plates displayed, no supervising driver, and further investigations led to identifying that the driver was recording the pursuit on his mobile.

The male stated he had just purchased the car, and he didn’t know what to do. "I just panicked because I don’t have a licence." The male was Breath and Drug tested, returning a negative result. He was arrested and conveyed to Byron Bay Police Station.

He was charged with the following offences to appear before the Byron Bay Children's Local Court:

• Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (1st offence)
• Class A motor vehicle exceed speed > 45 km/h (estimated)
• Fail to comply with request or signal to stop vehicle
• Learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester
• Learner driver not display "L" plates as prescribed
• Learner/P1/P2 licence holder use mobile phone while driving

His NSW driving privileges were withdrawn for 6 months. As the registered owner of the vehicle, he is liable for towing and storage costs following the vehicle's confiscation for a period of three months.

NSW Police remind all road users that learner drivers must comply with licence conditions at all times. Reckless behaviour places lives at risk and will be met with firm enforcement.