A TEENAGE boy who crashed a stolen ute into a motorcycle rider on a bridge at Maitland, leaving the man with serious lower leg injuries, has been granted bail.
The boy, 16, faced a bedside bail hearing in Broadmeadow Children's Court on Wednesday after he was charged while in hospital with eight serious driving offences, including failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm.
He did not enter any pleas, but was granted bail on the condition that he not leave home without a parent or carer.
The matter was adjourned to East Maitland Children's Court next week.
Emergency services rushed to The Long Bridge on High Street about 6.15am on Tuesday after reports a white Toyota Hilux and a scooter had collided.
The 58-year-old man riding the scooter was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported to John Hunter Hospital in an ambulance, with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter's critical care team, in a serious condition.
It's understood the man suffered serious leg injuries. He is now in a serious but stable condition.
The boy, who police say was behind the wheel of the ute at the time of the crash, was arrested nearby.
He was taken to Maitland Hospital under police guard for injuries he sustained in the crash and underwent mandatory testing.
Police said inquiries revealed the ute had been stolen from a house at Pelaw Main the night before the crash.
A crime scene was established and specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit were tasked to the scene to piece together what happened.
Police closed High Street between the New England Highway and Hannan Street for several hours while the operation unfolded.
And on Wednesday morning, police spoke to the boy in hospital and charged him with two counts of negligent driving, stealing a motor vehicle, reckless driving, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, causing bodily harm by misconduct and failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail by police before being granted bail during the children's court bedside hearing.
