Ronald Joseph Madden charged over crash death of Malcolm Anderson Langtree
A man who allegedly crashed into his friend of 40 years in a fatal hit-and-run told police he “didn’t realise he’d hit someone”.
Bundaberg
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A man who was allegedly behind the wheel during a fatal hit-and-run accident south of Bundaberg told police he “did not realise he’d hit someone”.
Ronald Joseph Madden, 69, was arrested shortly after the fatal crash that killed 68-year-old Moranbah man Malcolm Anderson Langtree on Sunday, November 17.
Police will allege Mr Madden struck Mr Langtree’s motorbike from behind after he slowed down for a 60km/h zone.
Mr Madden faced Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday for a bail application after being charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and leaving the scene without obtaining help.
The court heard Mr Madden travelled from Dubbo to Glass House Mountains on Saturday, November 16, with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday party.
The group had plans to continue through to Rockhampton the next day to visit another friend, a trip that ended in tragedy.
The court heard Mr Langtree was riding his motorbike when he slowed to 60km/h as he approached a section of the Bruce Highway undergoing roadworks near Booyal-Dallarnil Rd.
Mr Madden allegedly failed to slow down and made contact with the back wheel of Mr Langtree’s motorbike, causing him to be thrown into oncoming traffic heading south.
He suffered critical injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
Police will allege Mr Madden sped away from the scene and was found three kilometres down the road changing a tyre.
Prosecutors told Magistrate Edwina Rowan the charges were “serious”, and could carry a sentence of 20 years in jail.
They said the damage to the motorbike was typical for those involved in a high-speed collision.
He allegedly told police he did not observe any damage to the front of his vehicle outside of it requiring a tyre-change.
The court heard police were still investigating the vehicle’s undercarriage to determine whether Mr Langtree was dragged underneath.
Magistrate Rowan denied bail, noting Mr Madden usually resides in NSW and did not have an address in Queensland.
He will next appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on December 2.
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