Overview
- Luke Peter Francis, 31, has been charged with 11 offences including dangerous driving occasioning death and was refused bail after a court appearance on Sunday, with his next hearing set for February 26.
- Police allege he assaulted a 25-year-old at a South Hurstville service station about 10:20am Saturday and stole a red sedan, which was later tracked by PolAir after officers terminated the pursuit near Bankstown.
- The car crashed into an Alfa Romeo on the Old Hume Highway at Camden South at about 11:10am, killing driver Lee Casuscelli, 60, and passenger Maureen Crosland, 84.
- Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden described the driving as extremely reckless and said footage showed no police vehicles near the stolen car for most of the time it was being monitored.
- A critical incident investigation is being conducted with review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, as broader scrutiny of NSW pursuit practices intensifies.