The 21-year-old man, who is living in Armidale, was charged with several offences after the Peugeot sedan he was driving collided head-on with a Toyota Cressida on Dumaresq Dam Rd, just out of Armidale, on August 8.

Investigators will allege in court the Peugeot crossed to the wrong side of the road on a crest about 5pm on the Saturday afternoon and slammed into the oncoming Cressida.

Police from the Crash Investigation Unit have confirmed to The Leader the man is facing two counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving causing injury to another person and one count of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.

The 19-year-old Armidale man behind the wheel of the Cressida was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with critical injuries and placed in a coma.

He remains in hospital with serious injuries, while his passenger, a 42-year-old Korean national, suffered a broken arm but has since been released from hospital.

The impact of the crash also saw four passengers in the Peugeot taken to hospital with various injuries, including the 21-year-old driver, but all have been released.

After extensive examinations of the scene and witness statements, the 21-year-old was charged by investigators at Armidale Police Station last week and has been granted conditional bail.

The Leader understands the man, as well as his passengers, are students studying at the University of New England.

He’s been ordered to appear in Armidale Local Court in October.