Jemmah Lorraine Cole-Crighton, killed in fiery Warrego Highway crash remembered as bright, bubbly 24-year-old with world at her feet

The mother of a young woman killed in a fiery stolen car crash has spoken about their ‘wild child’ who wanted to turn her life around, and the reason she liked riding in stolen cars.

The loved ones of a 24-year-old woman killed in an alleged stolen car crash have remembered her as a wild child who was loyal to everyone, even to people “she shouldn’t have been”.

Jemmah Lorraine Cole-Crighton died on Friday, January 13 after the car she was travelling in crashed at high-speed into a tree on the Warrego Highway near Helidon about 2am.

Ms Cole-Crighton’s mum Kelly Cole has said her daughter had her own demons, but she was a beautiful girl who would never hurt anyone.

“She had her troubles, yes, but she wasn’t a bad person,” Mrs Cole said.

“She had a heart of gold that would do anything for anybody.

“Not a day went past where she didn’t think of other people … even if you stabbed her in the back and did wrong by her … she would still go and help you.”

Jemmah Lorraine Cole-Crighton was killed after the car she was in crashed into a tree on the Warrego Highway on Friday, January 13, 2023. Picture: supplied

Ms Cole-Crighton suffered significant burns to 95 per cent of her body when the stolen grey 2009 Toyota Camry she was in crashed into a tree and burst into flames.

Mrs Cole said despite the extent of her injuries, her daughter was able to crawl out of the car and drag herself up a hill to where bystanders were able to assist her.

“She was fighting ‘til the end,” she said.

Ms Cole-Crighton was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with a 27-year-old man who was also in the vehicle.

It is understood the man sustained a serious head injury and burns to parts of his body.

Mrs Cole received a call from hospital staff who said her daughter had been in an accident, was “very unwell”, and she needed to get to Brisbane right away.

“My heart sank. I was gutted. I had no idea she was burnt. I had no idea she wasn’t going to make it, until I got there,” she said.

Jemmah Lorraine Cole-Crighton was killed after the car she was in crashed into a tree on the Warrego Highway on Friday, January 13, 2023. Picture: supplied

“They sat me in the room and they told me 95 per cent of her body had been burnt and she wasn’t going to come out of it.

“It’s the most gut wrenching news, as a mum, that you could hear.”

Mrs Cole insisted that her daughter was determined to change her life after she fell into the wrong crowd and found herself in trouble in the past.

“She was a very bright and bubbly person who lived life to the fullest,” she said.

“She liked to have fun and live on the wild side … she would get into stolen cars, but she never stole one.

“She even told me last week, ‘I love the thrill of being in the cars cause people go fast in them … but I would never steal anything from anybody’.”

The Toyota Camry that was involved in a serious crash in the Warrego Highway, Friday, January 13, 2023.

Clean from drug use, Mrs Cole said her daughter wanted to “grow up” and get back into working in the disability support sector.

“She said ‘I’ve got to pull my head in and start concentrating and doing the right thing, and wipe these d***heads out of my life’,” she said.

“She was changing her life and then it all ended so tragically.”

A former Harristown State High School student, Ms Cole-Crighton had two biological siblings and five step siblings, who now face a future without her.

“Thank you for being the best big sister any girl could ask for, until we meet again Jem,” stepsister Anna Thomas said on social media.

“You fought and held on for as long as you could and I am so damn proud of you.”

Mrs Cole wished the the people writing comments on Facebook, who were “disgracing her child” with “disgusting comments” could know her daughter for who she was, and not what they believed her to be.

“She was a beautiful girl, and even as a little girl, she was always my wild child.

“She was loud, she was boisterous and all she wanted to do was have fun.”

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the incident and is appealing for witnesses, especially those with dashcam vision of the crash or the moments leading up to it, to come forward.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day. The reference number for the investigation is QP2300070385.

Any information can be reported anonymously via Crime Stopped at either 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.