Motorists have been left "shaken up" after witnessing a dramatic crash that brought a prolonged police pursuit across southern NSW to a sudden end in Wagga Wagga.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after driving an allegedly stolen Holden SUV for almost 400 kilometres before being detained by police.
The car was reported stolen in Nowra and the teenager was initially pursued by police along the Princes Highway just before 11am on Thursday, but the chase was called off due to safety concerns.
At 5pm, a second chase with Gundagai police on the Hume Highway was also terminated, but the car hit road spikes laid west of Wagga Wagga shortly afterwards, damaging the front tyres.
The pursuit came to an end when the driver attempted to avoid a second set of spikes laid at Forest Hill on the outskirts of Wagga but collided with a ute and rolled.
Wagga Wagga resident Darren Stammers and his wife saw the crash unfold in their rear-view mirrors.
"It just happened so fast — he was flying," Mr Stammers said.
"He was heading towards the side of my car so I just planted it. My wife was in the front screaming."
Mr Stammers said they were "a bit shaken up" after the incident but also thankful no-one was seriously injured.
The teenager attempted to flee the scene on foot but was arrested at a nearby residence shortly afterwards.
He was taken to hospital under police guard.
The teenager has been charged with a string of offences, including not stopping during a police pursuit, driving dangerously and learner not accompanied.
An outstanding warrant for property offences was also executed and the teenager will face children's court on Friday.
The crash occurred opposite a local primary school.
"One of the cars hit the traffic lights," RFS spokesperson Greg Allen said.
The RFS undertook a clean-up operation after the light was knocked over in the crash, and the road littered with debris from both cars.
