Ashley Campbell accused of drug driving offence same day as partner Courtney Anderson’s death

The boyfriend of young Qld woman, who ended up out of a moving HiLux and on the Bruce Highway where she died, was allegedly under the influence the day of the fateful trip, it can be revealed.

Courtney Paige Anderson, 28, from New Auckland suffered “catastrophic injuries” an the incident at Bajool, south of Rockhampton, on Easter Monday, April 1, 2024. Her partner (pictured right) Ashley John Campbell, 36, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court, charged with a traffic offence from that day but not in relation to her death.

The de facto partner of a woman who exited a moving vehicle on the Bruce Highway and died from her injuries has appeared in court charged with a drug driving offence from that fatal day.

Ashley John Campbell, 36, recently appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court charged with one count of driving under the influence of drugs.

The court heard the charge was from an alleged offence on April 1, 2024 at Bajool on the Bruce Highway.

Courtney Paige Anderson, 28, from New Auckland suffered “catastrophic injuries” at Bajool, south of Rockhampton, on Easter Monday, April 1, 2024.

Mr Campbell has not been charged with any offences in relation to Ms Anderson’s death.

Ms Anderson was Mr Campbell’s de facto partner and the driver of the vehicle that Ms Anderson exited before her death.

She died on the side of the Bruce Hwy after being found 8m from the gold Toyota HiLux she was travelling in with her partner.

The incident happened about 5.15pm near the intersection at Sisalana Rd.

Witnesses stopped and rendered first aid, with a Rockhampton woman the first to call triple-0.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said police had finalised their investigation into Courtney’s death and no criminal charges had been laid.

He said the matter was referred to the Coroner and as such it would be inappropriate for Queensland Police Service to comment further.

The spokesman said police continue to investigate traffic offences related to that day, however, this would not impact the coronial investigation.

Mr Campbell did not enter any pleas to the offence.

He told the court he required time to seek legal advice and was in the process of relocating to Townsville.

The case was adjourned.