Around 10pm last Friday Port Stephens police were conducting stationary random breath tests on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae when a Ford Fiesta pulled to the side of the road.

Police will allege when they approached the vehicle, the driver sped away. Police returned to their marked vehicle and activated lights and sirens however the driver allegedly failed to stop.

Police followed the vehicle north into Medowie before heading back towards the highway.

It will be alleged that during the pursuit, the Ford travelled in excess of the speed limit and left the road before hitting a small tree on Branch Rd at Karuah.

The 20-year-old driver from Maitland was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he returned an alleged reading of 0.160.

The man was charged with drive with high range prescribed concentration of alcohol, drive whilst unlicensed and drive manner dangerous.