The 18-year-old driver was known to police before Saturday’s crash, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said, as he stressed the incident was not believed to be targeted.
Waddell said police were investigating reports that the teenager had been driving erratically on the way to the crash site.
Police inspect the car allegedly involved in the incident at Wallsend in Newcastle.Sitthixay Ditthavong
The crash was not believed to be targeted, Waddell said.
“There [are] no concerns other than this being a tragic incident where a young person has done the wrong thing and driven irresponsibly, driven erratically, and obviously lost control of the vehicle into the crowd, but there’s no suggestion at all that it’s targeted or any ill motive” he said.
The actions of witnesses who confronted the driver, and any possible offences committed after the crash, would be investigated, Waddell said.