Manslaughter Charges Laid in Fatal Bruce Highway Crash
Queensland Police have charged two men with manslaughter in connection with a fatal head-on collision on the Bruce Highway in Burpengary on February 17, which resulted in the tragic death of 26-year-old Andre Roberts.
Police allege one man was driving a stolen Isuzu truck traveling in the wrong direction, while another man was driving a Ford Ranger that was following the truck.
Incident Overview
On February 17, just after 10:30 PM, 26-year-old Andre Roberts of Caboolture died after his Honda car collided head-on with an Isuzu truck near the Deception Bay Road exit at Burpengary.
Police report the Isuzu truck was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of the highway. Mr. Roberts died at the scene.
The 46-year-old Redcliffe man, identified as the alleged driver of the truck, sustained critical injuries and was hospitalized following the crash.
Pre-Collision Events and Investigation
Police allege the Isuzu truck had been stolen from a business in Hemmant and was involved in criminal activity, including the theft of scrap, prior to the crash.
Initial CCTV footage suggested the Isuzu truck was traveling at "excessive speeds," according to Detective Inspector David Harbison.
Police also received reports regarding other vehicles following the truck. It is alleged that several vehicles pursued the truck, but most abandoned the pursuit before reaching the highway.
Investigators subsequently located a Ford Ranger, suspected of following the truck, at a business on Magnesium Street, Narangba, around 5:30 PM the day after the incident.
Manslaughter Charges Filed
Queensland Police have filed manslaughter charges against two men in relation to the crash:
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A 46-year-old Redcliffe man, alleged to be the driver of the stolen Isuzu truck, has been charged with:
- One count of manslaughter
- Four counts of entering premises and committing an offense
- Three counts of stealing
- Two counts of receiving tainted property
- One count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle
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A 42-year-old Narangba man, alleged to have been driving the Ford Ranger that was following the stolen truck, has been charged with:
- One count of manslaughter
- One count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm
Both men are currently in police custody. The 46-year-old Redcliffe man is scheduled to appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court on May 12, while the 42-year-old Narangba man is scheduled to appear on April 13.
Related Charges
Previously, on February 23, a 49-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, both from Redcliffe, were charged in connection with the stolen truck.