A man has been charged following a fatal single-vehicle crash in the Port Stephens region late last year.

Emergency services were called to The Bucketts Way at Limeburners Creek about 10.30pm on Sunday, 14 December 2025, after police on patrol located a 36-year-old man on the roadside. Officers were told his vehicle had crashed nearby.

A short time later, police found the vehicle after it had left the roadway and collided with a tree. A 35-year-old female passenger was discovered deceased inside the vehicle and could not be revived.

The driver was taken to John Hunter Hospital for assessment and mandatory testing.

The NSW Police Force Crash Investigation Unit launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Following extensive inquiries, the 36-year-old man was arrested at Newcastle Police Station on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.

He has been charged with six offences, including dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, driving with an illicit drug present in his system, driving while suspended, and failing to provide particulars to police.

Police will allege in court the man was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash and was driving while his licence was suspended.

He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 2, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, 24 June 2026.