Braiden Timmins, son Hendrix-hemi Te Rongomau King killed in Regents Park crash
The driver who killed a Logan father and his four-year-old son returned a positive roadside breath test in the aftermath of the crash, police allege.
The motorist charged over the death of a Logan man and his four-year-old son - after his car struck them as they ventured for ice cream - had a positive roadside drink-driving test, police will allege.
Braiden Ashley Timmins, 33, and his son Hendrix-hemi Te Rongomau King, 4, from Crestmead, were walking along Green Rd, Regents Park, just after 11am on Sunday when they were struck by a white dual cab utility.
They died at the scene.
“It will be alleged the driver returned a positive Roadside Breath Test,” a police spokesman said on Monday afternoon.
“He was then conveyed to hospital where a requirement was made for a specimen of blood to be taken.
“Investigations by the Forensic Crash Unit (FCU) and Logan District Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) are ongoing.”
Trevor William Galbraith, 41, from Regents Park, was taken into custody at the scene and on Sunday night was charged with two counts of manslaughter.
He briefly appeared in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday morning, making no application for bail, and was remanded in custody to appear in court again on October 20.
The court heard the Forensic Crash Unit team was still collecting evidence in relation to the fatal crash.
FAMILY’S HEARTACHE OVER FATHER, SON LOSS
The stepfather of Mr Timmins has told of his horror upon hearing news of the tragedy, as the family unites in grief.
It is understood the pair were on their way to a 7-Eleven service station to buy ice creams when the crash happened.
When told of the news, Mr Timmins’ step-father Peter Geary said “f**k that is my son”.
Visiting the site on Monday to place a floral tribute, Mr Geary said that the family are in mourning.
“Today is for grieving and all our family is together,” he said.
“I would like to see changes made [to the road], but not today, not today.”
Mr Geary said that he wanted the world to know about his stepson Braiden.
“Braiden has been my stepson since he’s only three years old,” he said.
“He was a very proud boy, him and I have been living together now for about seven years – [he was] bit of a pain in the ass sometimes
“He’s very well known in this community, he was always volunteering – he was my best mate.”
Mr Geary added that Hendrix was the “most beautiful little boy”.
“Hendrix was very, very, very loveable child, a very cheeky little boy,” he said.
In setting up a GoFundMe fundraiser to support Hendrix’s mum, Shannon Hoet said the four-year-old “lit up every room he entered”.
“Hendrix was full of joy, cheeky grins, and boundless love. He lit up every room he entered and brought so much happiness to his family and friends,” she posted to the fundraiser.
“His life was cut far too short, and we are left heartbroken, struggling to comprehend a world without him.”
Ms Hoet added that the King family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, support and kindness at this time.
“Our hearts are shattered, and our family is still trying to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” she posted to social media.
“We are so deeply grateful for the community wrapping their arms around both of our families and showing that we are not alone in this grief.
“Your messages, prayers and support mean more than words can ever express.
“Together, we can show just how loved he truly was.”
TRAGIC SCENES AT CRASH SITE
Distraught family members sobbed at the crash site after being escorted to the scene by police officers on Sunday.
A mangled child’s balance bike laid on the side of the road, with a male relative doubling over in grief nearby, supported by police while two women held each other as they cried.
A family member at the scene was heard saying the father and son had gone for a walk to get ice cream from a nearby service station.
Green Rd was closed in both directions for hours on Sunday as the Queensland police forensic crash unit investigated the scene.
Floral tributes were seen at the site of the accident on Monday morning.
One man who came to show his respects, Tyson, who previously lived near the crash site, said it was “very close to home”.
“It’s very sad considering the circumstances. Very upsetting to be honest, especially since I’ve got a young son myself,” he said.
Tyson called for increased safety measures to be implemented along the road.
“The speed limit should be reduced and speed bumps should be put down this road just to avoid this happening again,” he said.
“It shouldn’t be a statistic-based thing that requires action to be taken.”
Premier David Crisafulli said “it’s hard not to look at that and feel a level of emotion and sadness for the family”.
“No family should ever have to try to unpick the pieces of doing something so wholesome and so beautiful as going to take your child to go to an ice creamery and then not to be able to see that through,” he said.
Logan Mayor Jon Raven also expressed his condolences as he placed flowers for the father and son at the crash site on Monday.
“You never want to see anybody loses their life or to have someone so young passes away,” he said.
“It’s really difficult for people at a time like this.”
Mr Raven said the council had completed a speed limit review and made recommendations for the limit to be reduced.
“Those new signs are being ordered right now,” he said.
“We’re already doing everything we can to make Green Rd as safe as possible.”
Councillor Jacob Heremaia of Logan City Council extended his condolences to the family and vowed to investigate measures to improve pedestrian safety in the area.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and my thoughts are also with the first responders who faced such a heartbreaking scene,” he said.
“I know words can do little to ease the pain, but please know that our community shares in the sorrow of this tragedy.
“I have personally contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the city council for an urgent investigation and action to improve pedestrian safety on Green Road.”
Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Woodridge MP Cameron Dick visited the scene on Monday to lay flowers and offer his support to the family.
“Our community has just been completely shocked and bewildered by this terrible incident yesterday,” Mr Dick said.
“Our hearts break for the family that’s been impacted by a terrible tragedy.
“I think it’s a message to all of us that life can change in an instant, and we’re just coming together now to provide whatever support we can to the family, obviously in deep grief and shock that impacts all of us, so we’re just thinking about them at this time and put our arms around them and do whatever we can to help.”
While Mr Dick said he would support any effort to improve the road, those discussions should be held after the police have completed their investigation.
“Anything obviously, that we can do to improve the road, I would of course support,” he said.
“Once the police have conducted their investigation, I think then we reflect on what are the necessary actions that our local government and the state government should act.
“But at the moment, our thoughts are with the family who are impacted by just a terrible tragedy that is heartbreaking for them and for members of our community.”
Police have asked for anyone with relevant information or vision of the utility to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
HORROR WEEKEND ON QLD ROADS
The deaths of the father and son came during a horror weekend on Queensland’s roads, with a man dying in Greenbank – a few suburbs over from Regents Park – just after 10pm on Saturday night.
The man was driving along New Beith Rd when his Volkswagen Amarok rolled. His two passengers, a 36-year-old Regents Park man and 35-year-old Eagleby man, suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
At least 187 people have died on Queensland’s roads ahead of Road Safety Week which begins on Monday.
In 2024, road deaths in the state soared to 302, the highest in 15 years.
The RACQ, ahead of Road Safety Week, warned Queensland’s road toll was on track to again surpass 300 deaths this year.
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Safer Australian Roads and Highways, and Queensland Trucking Association are partnering with RACQ on a new “Get Serious on Road Safety” campaign.
The road safety advocates are calling for the state government to fund more point-to-point speed cameras in high-risk zones, increase the on-road police presence, increase roadside drug and alcohol testing, and motorcycle licensing reform.
They are also calling for stronger impoundment laws for repeat and extreme road traffic offenders to remove access to vehicles from drivers who continue to flout the law, and a new vehicle security rating system for devices that make cars harder to steal.
