January 4, 2026

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Incident Overview
A 33-year-old man has died following a crash on the Eyre Highway on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, with the incident now being investigated as a death in police custody. Police allege the man was driving an allegedly stolen vehicle and actively evading police during an extended operation that included aerial tracking and the deployment of road spikes. The vehicle crashed near Kimba in the mid-afternoon on Saturday, 3 January. Despite CPR being performed by police, the man was declared deceased at the scene. Multiple investigative processes are now underway, including a coronial investigation.

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Saturday, 3 January 2026 (around 2:45pm)
  • Location: Eyre Highway, near Kimba, SA

Vehicles Involved

  • Blue Ford sedan – allegedly stolen vehicle involved in petrol drive-off and police operation

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Fatalities:
    • 33-year-old Hilton (Adelaide) man – driver and sole occupant; died at the scene.

Emergency Response

  • SA Police attended the crash scene after the vehicle stopped following the deployment of road spikes.
  • Police located the driver unconscious and commenced CPR.
  • Despite resuscitation attempts, the man was declared deceased at the scene.
  • The Eyre Highway was closed between Iron Knob and Kimba for several hours before reopening.

“It falls into the definition of a death in custody — what that means is, we have additional layers of investigation that occur in these circumstances.” — Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott, SA Police

Police Investigation
The incident is being investigated as a death in police custody due to the driver actively evading apprehension at the time of the crash.

  • Police allege the vehicle was stolen from Port Augusta and involved in a petrol drive-off earlier in the day.
  • A brief pursuit was initiated and quickly terminated due to safety concerns.
  • The vehicle was later tracked by PolAir and monitored as it travelled via Whyalla, Iron Knob Road and onto the Eyre Highway.
  • Road spikes were deployed near a roadside rest stop east of Kimba.
  • Major Crash officers and SA Police Internal Investigation Section are conducting parallel investigations.
  • A coronial investigation will also be undertaken.

Community Impact
The fatal incident resulted in prolonged highway closures on the Eyre Highway and has prompted significant public scrutiny due to its classification as a death in police custody. SA Police confirmed the driver’s alleged driving behaviour posed a serious risk to other road users.

Appeal for Information
Police investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information relevant to the incident is encouraged to contact authorities.

  • Crime Stoppers SA: Call 1800 333 000 or report online.