Police investigate alleged threats after Paradise Point crash of Howard Wright and boy on ebike

The ugly aftermath of the controversial crash involving a Gold Coast businessman and a young boy on an electric bike has sparked a fresh police investigation. Read the latest

Police are investigating threatening voice messages left on the phone of a Gold Coast bar boss after he allegedly drove dangerously towards a boy knocking him off his e-bike.

Hospitality boss Howard Wright was issued with a $645 fine and incurred three demerit points for driving without due care and attention following the controversial crash at Paradise Point on January 6. There is no suggestion the car hitting the bike was intentional or deliberate.

Police initially put out a statement to media alleging the 58-year-old was behind the wheel of an Audi A5 when it was driven in a “dangerous manner towards” the e-bike riding 12-year-old, before hitting him which knocked him from his bike near Salacia Dr.

Footage of the collision, captured on the boy’s GoPro and uploaded to social media, shows the boy screaming afterwards “I didn’t do nothing...why did you hit me?”.

Mr Wright claims on the footage the boy “ran” in front of his vehicle and tells him “this bike is illegal”.

When bystanders start criticising Mr Wright including one telling him “he’s just a kid”, Mr Wright replies: “They are ringing my doorbell ever day. See the guy over there with the blue hat on - just rang the doorbell. I’m about to go to the police from the case from yesterday.

“If I were you buddy, I would vanish off.”

The boy replies: “I’m just a bit confused why you hit me.”

Police Alleged Mr Wright was driving dangerously prior to the crash - he was issued an infringement notice and fined for driving without due care and attention.

In a new statement by Queensland Police Service (QPS), a spokesman confirmed officers had launched a fresh investigation over the incident due to claims of threats via phone against Mr Wright.

“The driver has reported receiving threatening voicemail messages, and police are actively investigating these threats,” the statement on Friday night said.

A neighbour of Mr Wright has also confirmed he had received “death threats” and was fearful about his safety.

“He can’t handle it right now,” the resident said.

“He regrets it because of the constant personal fear of his house and car (being trashed).”

There is no suggestion the boy in the video or any of his family - or any of the bystanders - was involved in any of the alleged threatening conduct or messages.

The incident and decision by police to fine Mr Wright sparked criticism with the boy’s father, other police and lawyers questioning why only a fine was issued and charges were not pursued.

Responding to that criticism, the Queensland Police Service statement said it stood by the decision which was made after “all relevant factors” were considered by officers.

“This decision considered the driver’s immediate reporting of the incident to police, his conduct following the collision, and his lack of prior criminal history,” the QPS spokesman said.

“In addition, allegations (were) supported by additional footage illustrating that the driver had been subject to ongoing harassment and verbal abuse.”

The victim sustained scratches and bruising from the crash.

A photo of the young boy’s hand.

The victim and his father strongly deny the allegation and say it has not been raised with them by officers at all over the several conversations they have had since the crash, including most recently on Thursday when officers asked them to attend Runaway Bay Police Station after the story broke in the media.

“We’ve never been shown any footage,” the boys father said.

“They’re talking about the wrong kid. It’s terrible.”

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information on the crash to come forward.

Originally published as Police investigate alleged threats after Paradise Point crash of Howard Wright and boy on ebike