A 16-year-old boy has been killed and three other teenagers were injured when a vehicle slammed into a tree late on Friday night.
Road fatalities have seen an increase this year and the government is yet to release data as to why.
This year has seen the New South Wales road toll climb to 351 – a 26 per cent increase from last year.
Victoria has reported a 24 per cent increase, leading to a national increase of 6.3 per cent.
Over 1,250 people have been killed in crashes nationally — the highest number since 2016.
Transport Accident Commission acting CEO Samantha Cockfield has said intoxication, fatigue and seatbelts are the main cause for the tolls.
Australian Automobile Association Managing Director Michael Bradley says the main cause or solution to the problem won’t be known until the government releases its data on what causes the accidents.
Police were called to Lemon Tree Passage Road in the suburb of Salt Ash, near Newcastle, after a Ford Falcon left the road and hit a tree on Friday about 10:50pm.
Officers and paramedics arrived at the scene to find a 16-year-old boy had suffered critical injuries. He was rushed into an ambulance but died on the way to hospital.
A police spokeswoman said the boys in the vehicle were aged between 14 and 17.
A teenage boy has died after a car slammed into a tree near Newcastle. Picture: Getty
A 14-year-old and two 17-year-olds were taken to John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.
The 17-year-old driver allegedly returned a positive roadside breath test. He was later taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
A crime scene was established as crash investigators try to determine what happened.
Police are urging any motorists who were in the area at the time and have information or dash cam vision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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