An 80yo pedestrian has allegedly been deliberately run down as a man went on a vehicle rampage in northern NSW

An 80-year-old woman standing on a nature strip has been allegedly been deliberately run down as man used his van to go on a rampage in several suburbs in northern NSW.

The man was held in custody overnight after allegedly deliberately running down the woman and smashing into multiple vehicles on Monday.

The incident began around 3pm, when the van was allegedly deliberately driven into a station wagon and a sedan, both parked in the carpark of a club on Riverside Drive, Wooli.

Officers from Coffs/Clarence police district were called to the scene but were then advised the same van had allegedly been driven through the glass doors of a home in Banksia Street, Minnie Water; a woman home at the time escaped injury.

Police were then told further vehicles – including a boat and trailer – parked on Acacia Street had allegedly been hit by the same van which failed to stop.

Police will allege the same male driver then deliberately swerved onto the wrong side of Grevillia Parade in an attempt to hit two women, both aged 48.

They were able to run out of the way; however, an 80-year-old woman was allegedly deliberately run over when the van mounted the kerb and struck her as she stood on the nature strip. She was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital where she is being treated for abrasions and a suspected fractured rib.

Police will allege the driver then continued to Hiawatha Road where he attempted to run down a 49-year-old woman standing in the driveway of a home. She jumped out of the way but her SUV was struck before the van drove away.

The man then drove to a store on Sandon Road and allegedly tried to force his way inside before he was pushed into a storeroom and held until police arrived and arrested him.

The 47-year-old man was taken to Grafton Hospital where he was treated for a hand injury and underwent testing.

He has since been released into police custody and was taken to Grafton Police Station where he has been charged with 13 offences,

• Cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle
• Fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury
• Drive motor vehicle menaces another with intent
• Destroy or damage property (five counts), and
• Not give particulars to owner of damaged property (five counts)

The man, from Coutts Crossing, has been bail refused to Grafton Local Court later today (Tuesday 16 July 2024).