Crashed driver who was shot dead by police after they arrived to help him is identified as a father-of-six

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA 09:45 06 Oct 2026, updated 15:42 06 Oct 2026

A man who was shot dead by police after allegedly pointing a rifle at officers responding to a car crash has been identified as a father of six.

Emergency services were dispatched to help Danny Di Biccari after his Chrysler station wagon crashed into a tree on a rural road in Rugby, 84km north of Yass in southern NSW, about 2.50pm on Sunday.

Witnesses had called triple-0 after seeing Mr Di Biccari unconscious in the driver’s seat but one reportedly flagged a possible firearm inside the car..

NSW Police claimed officers from the Hume Police District approached the car to perform first aid but Mr Di Biccari confronted them with a rifle.

He was shot multiple times by officers, who performed CPR but were unable to revive him.

Mr Di Biccari was declared dead at the scene.

His sister-in-law confirmed his death in an emotional social media post on Tuesday.

‘Behind everything that happened, there was a person – a brother, a father, a son, a family member and a friend,’ Tahya Gardner wrote.

Ms Gardner also defended Mr Di Biccari in the aftermath of the incident.

‘He was a good person who was loved deeply by the people who knew him, and he leaves behind children who now have to grow up without their dad.

‘No words can truly explain the pain of losing someone in such a sudden and heartbreaking way. His family will forever carry the memories of him – his smile, his laugh, his good moments and the person he was to the people who loved him.’

Mr Di Biccari had a history of gun offences and was previously subject to a firearm prohibition order.

Ms Gardner wrote that despite their father’s ‘struggles’, Mr Di Biccari’s children would miss him.

‘My heart breaks for all of his children. They deserved more time with their dad – more birthdays, more memories, more hugs, more conversations and more chances to tell him how much they loved him,’ she wrote.

‘Whatever struggles he may have faced in life, they do not erase the good that was in him or the love his family had for him.

‘His life was worth remembering and his children deserve to know that their dad was loved.

‘He may no longer be here physically but he will always be a part of his family’s lives and forever live on through his children.’

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty applauded the ‘bravery’ of the responding officers who sought to give Mr Di Biccari first aid while knowing a firearm was present.

‘As they approached that vehicle, they tried to speak and communicate with that person who did not respond,’ Commissioner Hegarty said on Monday.

‘He then took possession of a firearm and pointed it directly at the police officer. At that point, I can confirm that police opened fire and he was struck with a number of rounds.

‘I can confirm that that firearm was a loaded firearm.

‘They were trying to get to the person to render assistance and check on his condition. They were quite brave walking up to that point so I commend them for their bravery.’

Mr Di Biccari was only a few minutes’ drive from the property he shared with his partner and four of their children.

Police will investigate whether the crash was an accident, self-harm attempt, or a plot to lure officers into a trap.

A crime scene was established at the crash site and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad has commenced a critical incident investigation.

That investigation will be the subject of an independent review by the NSW Police Professional Standards Command and oversighted by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

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