Investigation into crash that claimed young life after driver 'fled minor bingle at supermarket'
Police are investigating whether a woman involved in a crash which claimed the life of a 19-year-old was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.
Witnesses say they earlier tried to stop the woman allegedly driving off before the crash after a minor bingle in a supermarket car park on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.
A close circle of friends in a small coastal town have been left heartbroken after their bright and talented friend, Abbey Stephen, was killed in a head-on crash at Old Bar on Tuesday night.
Police believe the Ford Falcon careered onto the wrong side of the road and Abbey's car flipped on impact.
"I noticed the cars upside down smashed into the bush over there and it looked devastating," witness Mark Butow said.
Rescuers cut her free from the wreckage, but she died later in hospital.
The surviving driver, Carly Smith, is recovering in hospital and has undergone drug and alcohol tests.
Witnesses have told police they earlier tried to take her keys before the carnage unfolded, after she hit a pole in a Coles car park.
Investigators say the Ford was travelling at such speed after the impact that it crashed through trees, coming to a stop 50 metres away.
Carly Smith was thrown from her vehicle and found lying injured in the bushes.
Police are asking anybody who may have witnessed the crash or the lead-up to it to call Taree Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
