TWO people are under police guard after the crash that closed Cowper Street on Thursday morning.
Police said they identified a vehicle about 7.40am that contained "an occupant they believed could assist with inquiries into a number of break and enters in the Newcastle area".
A member of the public informed officers a short time later that a vehicle matching its description had been involved in a crash at Wallsend.
Police arrested a male passenger, 18, at the scene. He was taken to Waratah police station before he complained of feeling unwell.
He was subsequently taken to the John Hunter Hospital.
The female driver, 28, was taken to the same hospital from the crash scene in an ambulance.
Police said she was recovering from non life threatening injuries following the crash.
An Ambulance NSW spokeswoman said the woman was transported in a serious but stable condition.
Inquiries into the crash are ongoing.
Cowper Street has reopened after both lanes were closed during much of peak hour.
Drivers had been urged to avoid part of Cowper Street at Wallsend after the accident.
The road was closed in both directions between Lake Road and Kokera Street.
The road remained closed to westbound traffic at 9.30am but re-opened shortly before 10am.
Motorists were urged to use Newcastle Link Road and avoid the area if possible.
Buses 26, 267 and 270 had been missing one stop due to the westbound detour.
Earlier services when the road was closed in both directions had bypassed two stops.
