A man has been charged after a pursuit and crash at Wallsend overnight.

Police from Newcastle City Local area Command were patrolling Newcastle Road at 7.50pm (Friday 30 October 2015), when a vehicle bearing stolen number plates was seen.

Police will allege the driver was directed to stop, but instead accelerated and a pursuit was initiated.

The Nissan Pathfinder was followed onto Thomas Street; at the intersection of Metcalfe Street, the 4WD allegedly drove through a red traffic light and hit a Holden Astra with three people inside, two of which were children.

A 38-year-old woman driving the Astra sustained a fractured wrist, while her six year-old daughter and nine-year-old son were shaken but not physically injured.

A 37-year-old man – who was allegedly driving the 4WD – was arrested a short time later in the backyard of a home nearby.

The man was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with seven offences:

• Drive furiously in motor vehicle do/cause bodily harm

• Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously

• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period

• Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous (Skye’s law)

• Fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury

• Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road

• Goods suspected stolen in/on premises.

He was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court next Thursday (5 November 2015).