Woman killed, man injured, another allegedly shot in Bruce Hwy carjacking terror
The next steps for a man accused of killing a woman in a Bruce Hwy crash, along with carjacking two vehicles, have been revealed as police allege he was found with drugs and tainted money after his wild arrest.
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Wild footage of the arrest of a man accused of 15 offences including a woman’s death in a Bruce Hwy crash and carjacking two vehicles on the Sunshine Coast has been released by police.
The gripping footage shows police, with guns up, yelling at 41-year-old Tewantin man Bradley Donald Towle to get down on the ground.
The man appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday and again on Wednesday where he made no application for bail, with his matters adjourned to June 30. He was remanded in custody.
Police allege the horror started on the Bruce Highway when a Porsche Macan crashed at Palmview early Monday afternoon.
It’s then alleged the luxury car caused a six-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes, with police claiming the 41-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle and struck the passenger side of a Nissan Micra.
A Micra passenger, a 22-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt woman, died later of her injuries suffered in the crash.
The driver of the Micra, a 22-year-old Strathpine man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police have alleged the Tewantin man then approached a white SsangYong Rexton, while armed with a firearm.
The driver of the Rexton, a 62-year-old Branyan man, had stopped to help those involved in the crash.
Police have alleged the pair fought and Mr Towle allegedly shot the Rexton driver in the arm and drove off in the vehicle.
The 62-year-old man was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
A Sunshine Coast University Hospital spokeswoman said both the 22-year-old and 62-year-old men were discharged today after receiving treatment.
Officers found the stolen Rexton crashed on Steve Irwin Way, Landsborough about 12.35pm.
Police have alleged Mr Towle then approached a grey Mazda 3 while armed with a firearm.
The driver of the Mazda 3, a 16-year-old Newmarket girl who was a learner driver, and her parents, ran from the vehicle and were not physically injured.
Officers arrested Mr Towle at 12.48pm at the intersection of Steve Irwin Way and Forestry Rd in Landsborough.
The wild footage shows an arresting police officer yelling at Mr Towle to “get down” and “put your hands behind your back” as the Tewantin man lies on the ground and a second police officer walking around the other side of the car to arrest him.
Police say the firearm was recovered inside the vehicle.
The Tewantin man was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital with head and body injuries. He was returned to the Maroochydore watch-house late Tuesday afternoon.
Paramedics rushed to the crash, which caused major traffic delays on the highway.
The 41-year-old has been charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offence, and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, going armed as to cause fear, unlawful possession of firearm used to commit indictable offence, possess tainted property, authority required to possess explosives, driver fail to remain at incident, and driving suspended licence.
Outside court on Wednesday, Mr Rynderman would not be drawn on questions about Towle other than to say the 41-year-old was back from hospital and how it was a very serious and “tragic” situation.
Court documents showed Mr Towle allegedly possessed ammunition, GHB, meth and Australian currency suspected of being tainted property, alongside the firearm.
Three crime scenes were declared and processed by forensic crash unit and scenes of crime officers.
An investigation continues and police urge witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam vision to come forward.
Sunshine Coast Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland said it was a terrible incident.
“This is just terrible,” the Inspector said. “It resulted in the death of a young girl.”
Inspector Overland said the driver of the Mazda 3 and his parents were unharmed but shaken.
“As you’d imagine, it would be traumatic to have a gun pointed at you but they’re uninjured, the gun was not discharged at them and they are providing statements to police,” he said.
Police caught up to the alleged perpetrator at the third crime scene in Landsborough, and there was no pursuit between the first crash at Palmview and the second at Landsborough, Inspector Overland said.
Damien Moore, from DM Mechanical, said roadworks blocking one lane of Steve Irwin Way resulted in the allegedly stolen Mazda 3 coming face-to-face with opposing traffic, and police swiftly arrived behind the vehicle.
A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman earlier said four vehicles were involved “in some capacity” in the Bruce Highway crash and one vehicle rolled at Landsborough.
She said crews were not required to use their cutting gear at the highway crash.
One crew had also assisted police at Landsborough.
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Originally published as Woman killed, man injured, another allegedly shot in Bruce Hwy carjacking terror
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