A young pregnant woman and her partner have been killed when they were mowed down by a 17 year old boy that was high on drugs.
It was later revealed that the boy was driving a stolen car.
The couple were walking their 2 dogs in Alexandra Hills, a suburb in Brisbane, on Australia Day when they were hit.
The authorities said that the 17-year-old boy was on bail as they were facing 50 charges, not this one.
They were high on drugs at the time of the incident.
The victims have been identified as 31-year-old Kate Leadbetter and Matty Fields, 37.
The woman was 6 months pregnant when they got killed by the vehicle.
Emergency services were called to a 3 vehicle collision at around 5:30pm on Tuesday on Finucane Rd.
The police said that the boy was stolen a 4WD Landcruiser when they went through a red light and ploughed into a truck, which resulted in the death of the pair and their unborn child.
The couple were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the stolen car was arrested some time after the incident.
He tried to flee the scene of the crash and managed to get car keys and tried to start another car that was nearby.
A local resident tackled the man and stopped him from leaving the scene until the authorities arrived.
Talking about the incident, the resident said:
I saw him walking across the lawn, acted like I was going to run him over, stopped, jumped out. Got him on to the ground. He went to get up so I give him a kick or two, put him on his face and held him until the police arrived.
Brian Codd, the Commissioner of the Queensland Police Assistant, released a statement about the incident.
It reads:
The terrible tragedy that I’m talking about has resulted in two and potentially three innocent lives being lost. Despite the incredible efforts of witnesses and later Queensland Ambulance Service, both pedestrians died at the scene. Tragically, and from advice from the family and the QAS, we understand that Katherine was pregnant. The family are devastated. Here were two people going about their business innocently, walking their dog on Australia Day. They should be entitled to do that. To have them ripped away from their families is an absolute tragedy … It shouldn’t happen.
Chris Stream, the Acting Chief Superintendent in Queensland, said:
Our thoughts are with their friends and family and in fact, even the local community where the accident occurred. Something that we know was absolutely avoidable and is a horrible situation.
A dog of the couple went missing after the crash, however, Frankie, the dog, was located after some time.
The 17-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle has been charged with the following charges:
- two counts of murder
- one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle (adversely affected by an intoxicating substance)
- two counts of burglary
- one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims, may their souls rest in peace.