Nail gun fired, two charged in alleged road-rage crash near Wollongong

Thursday, 12 November 2026 09:28:08 PM

Two men have been charged and a third is in hospital following an alleged road-rage incident in Madden Plains earlier today.

Emergency services were called to the M1 Princes Motorway, near Appin Road, about 7am (Thursday 12 November 2026), following reports an SUV and a ute had collided.

Officers attached Wollongong Police District have been told a nail gun was allegedly fired from the ute towards the SUV, with on one nail striking the driver in the face and at least a further five hitting the vehicle.

The vehicles collided, with the ute rolling onto the median strip.

The 25-year-old man driving the SUV and a 37-year-old man, who was a passenger in the ute, were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics. The older man was taken to Wollongong Hospital with a suspected arm injury, where he remains.

Two men from the ute were arrested at the scene and were taken to Wollongong Police Station where they were charged,

• A 21-year-old man from Chester Hill has been charged with use etc offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s). He’s been refused bail to appear in Bail Division Court 3, Local tomorrow (Friday 13 November 2026).

• A 23-year-old man from Auburn has also been charged with use etc offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s). He was granted conditional bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on 15 December 2026.

Inquiries are ongoing.