POLICE are awaiting blood test results to determine whether further charges will be laid against a man accused of crashing a car during a police pursuit.
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Senior police said the speeds involved in the Armidale chase were "ludicrous", with the 55-year-old allegedly clocked at 120km per hour in a 50 zone.
New England Detective Acting Inspector Matt Crotty said the white Mazda 6 lost control and crashed into a powerpole at the intersection of Canambe and Kirkwood streets on Saturday night.
"This was a dangerous speed in residential streets, and police will allege that this driver failed to pull over when signalled by police, and that put the community further at risk," he said.
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"Police are awaiting the blood test results to determine if alcohol was a factor.
"Investigations are continuing and further charges could be laid."
It was one of two high-speed chases within 24 hours involving New England police and senior officers have slammed the actions of the drivers who they said could have seriously injured or killed themselves or another motorist.
It all started when police spotted the Mazda on Castledoyle Road at about 11.40pm. Due to the manner of its driving, officers tried to pull the car over on the Waterfall Way, east of Armidale.
"The vehicle failed to stop and accelerated and a police pursuit was initiated," Detective Crotty said.
"The pursuit entered Canambe Street, and a short time later, the vehicle collided with a powerpole at the intersection."
The 55-year-old sole occupant was arrested at the scene and failed a roadside breath test. He was taken to Armidale hospital for a medical issue, and also went mandatory blood testing.
The man was issued a notice to front court for charges of police pursuit and exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km per hour.
Police will allege he reached 120km per hour in a 50 zone at one point during the chase.
He will front court in April.
Essential Energy had to be called out to repair the powerpole.