Driver dies after crashing into truck in front of police cars

A fatal crash unfolded on Appin Road in Sydney's south-west when a 39-year-old man's hatchback swerved into the path of an oncoming cement truck. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, with two police vehicles responding to an unrelated emergency nearby, traveling approximately 50 meters behind the hatchback with lights and sirens activated.

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This was a job with a male armed with a knife in a domestic situation.

Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden of the police stated that dash-cam footage from the truck clearly shows the hatchback veering into the wrong lane and colliding with the truck. The driver of the hatchback died at the scene and has not yet been formally identified. The truck driver sustained minor injuries and shock, and was taken for mandatory testing.

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It clearly shows the proximity of police vehicles. It also clearly shows the path taken by the vehicle into the front of the cement truck.

McFadden confirmed that the police vehicles were not investigating or pursuing the hatchback at the time. He indicated that in normal circumstances, the police would have passed the vehicle safely. The circumstances leading to the driver swerving remain the subject of a critical incident investigation, which will be reviewed by police and government agencies. Appin Road was closed in both directions following the crash.

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There is no indication that the driver panicked as the police cars approached. The circumstances as to why that path was taken is subject to our investigation.