- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Camden Today
By the People, for the People
Two Women Killed in Sydney Police Chase Crash
Incident sparks renewed scrutiny of New South Wales pursuit policies
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Two women, Lee Casuscelli and Maureen Crosland, were killed in Camden, southwest of Sydney, when their car was struck by a vehicle fleeing police. The incident has prompted renewed debate over the balance between apprehending offenders and ensuring public safety during police chases, as data shows a steady increase in NSW Police pursuits in recent years.
Why it matters
The crash has reignited concerns about the safety of police pursuits and whether current policies adequately prioritize public safety. It comes as data shows a rise in NSW Police chases, with hundreds resulting in collisions and several fatalities in recent years.
The details
Police had terminated the active pursuit 40 minutes prior to the collision, but the allegedly stolen car continued to travel at high speed, ultimately resulting in the fatal crash. The incident has prompted renewed calls for NSW Police to formally adopt recommendations from a 2021 coronial finding that pursuits should only be initiated if there is a 'serious risk to health and safety of a person'.
- The fatal crash occurred on Saturday in Camden, southwest of Sydney.
- In the aftermath, NSW Police engaged in six additional car chases, four of which resulted in collisions.
- On Sunday night, a 45-year-old woman was injured when a stolen car, being pursued for allegedly speeding, struck her vehicle in Sefton.
The players
Lee Casuscelli
A highly-respected education leader and director at the charity Schools Plus, who was described by her son as 'the most beautiful and selfless woman you will ever meet.'
Maureen Crosland
An 84-year-old dedicated member of the St John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Campbelltown, who was on her way to pick up a wedding dress for her granddaughter and Ms. Casuscelli's son.
Luke Francis
A 31-year-old man who has been charged with multiple offences, including dangerous driving occasioning death, in connection with the Camden crash.
Mal Lanyon
The NSW Police Commissioner, who 'noted' but did not formally accept recommendations from a 2021 coronial finding that pursuits should only be initiated if there is a 'serious risk to health and safety of a person'.
Sue Higginson
A NSW Greens MLC who criticized the police commissioner's refusal to support the recommendations, arguing that preventing unnecessary deaths should be the priority.
What they’re saying
“the most beautiful and selfless woman you will ever meet.”
— Adrian Casuscelli, Son of Lee Casuscelli (Social media)
“visibly moved and shaken”
— Richard Healy, Assistant Priest, St John the Evangelist Catholic Church (News report)
“prioritizing public safety should outweigh 'operational difficulties'”
— Sue Higginson, NSW Greens MLC (News report)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Luke Francis out on bail.
The takeaway
This tragic incident highlights the need for NSW Police to carefully balance the pursuit of suspects with the safety of the public, and to formally adopt recommendations that would prioritize lives over operational concerns.
