Tradie fatally hit elderly man with vehicle then went to work: police

A driver who allegedly hit and killed an elderly man in Brisbane’s north later panicked and burnt the vehicle before going to work, police will allege.

Police were called to the intersection of Kittyhawk Drive and Murphy Road in Chermside about 5.15am on Thursday after reports a 72-year-old man had been hit by a vehicle while walking.

Detective Acting Inspector Ken Rogers said the pedestrian, Ian Colwell, was attempting to cross the intersection when a vehicle, turning from Murphy Road onto Kittyhawk Drive, allegedly failed to stop at a red arrow.

Colwell suffered critical injuries, including head and suspected pelvic injuries, and died as he was being treated by paramedics on the way to the hospital.

Police have notified his family, who were “still trying to take it all in”, Rogers told a media conference.

Colwell was a community worker, as well as a retired teacher and principal, and has been remembered by his neighbours as “thoughtful and caring”.

Investigators found a vehicle, believed to be the gold Honda CR-V involved in the incident, burnt out in the nearby suburb of Wavell Heights.

The man was hit at the intersection of Kittyhawk Drive and Murphy Road in Chermside.Credit: Google Maps

Police arrested a 35-year-old tradesman from Joyner at a property in Geebung at about 10am.

It would be alleged the man borrowed the vehicle from a friend some time before the incident.

“I think he panicked, didn’t really know what to do, drove around for a short time, decided to burn the vehicle out and then, believe it or not, went to work,” Rogers said.

The man was later charged with dangerous driving causing death, leaving the scene of an incident without obtaining help, and arson of the vehicle.

“I can say that the driver, although subsequently immediately after the accident probably hasn’t done the right thing, but I can say once apprehended by police he is remorseful for his actions.”

Detectives were still trying to determine if anyone helped the tradesman get to the Geebung address on Thursday morning before he was arrested. They have asked for witnesses, or anyone who might have CCTV footage, to come forward.

Rogers said there had been an accelerant in the vehicle before it was burned, but “in saying that, he is a tradesman worker”.

“In relation to how he’s reacted, until you’re in that situation, you don’t really know what you’re going to do yourself,” he said.

The man was due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

With Nine News Queensland