Case of carer charged with deliberately causing fatal car crash in Gympie court

The Sunshine Coast-based carer charged with deliberately crashing a car into a tree at Brooloo and killing a beloved local brother and sister was represented in the Gympie court today. DETAILS

Two people died and a third is under police guard after a crash in Brooloo in the Gympie hinterland on Monday afternoon.

The driver who allegedly caused a crash that claimed the lives of a brother and sister at Brooloo was mentioned and represented by phone in the Gympie Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Valdora man Stuart Daryl Gray, 61, was still in Sunshine Coast University Hospital on Thursday morning because of injuries he received in the crash that killed his two passengers, 85-year-old Gympie woman Norma Diana Dutton and 83-year-old Kandanga man Clive William Millers.

Mr Gray was represented by Brisbane law firm Gilshenan and Luton who dialled in to the mention, and said he was expected to be released from hospital to the Maroochydore Watchhouse later that day.

He was remanded in custody for a mention on August 11, before which a full brief of evidence will be presented to his lawyers.

There was no application for bail, and Magistrate Bevan Hughes excused Mr Gray’s attendance at court.

The day after the accident Police Superintendent Brad Inskip spoke to reporters from Bundaberg.

Clive Millers, then 70 poses for a photo amid new hope for the Mary Valley after the launch of a State Government renewal plan in the wake of the failed Traveston Dam project. Photo: Megan Slade.

“We now believe that that crash was not an accident, but a deliberate act,” Superintendent Inskip told reporter.

“I can say that the two victims … were related, and their relationship with the driver was in a professional manner … he was employed as a carer.”

Supt Inskip said it did not appear alcohol was involved in the accident.

The driver who allegedly caused a crash which claimed the lives of two people at Brooloo in the Gympie region can be identified as 61-year-old Valdora man Stuart Daryl Gray.

Mr Gray, a company director, suffered non-life-threatening injuries but remained under police guard at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

He was interviewed there by Gympie CIB officers on Monday night, and on Tuesday the matter was briefly mentioned in Gympie Magistrates Court before being mentioned again on Thursday

No application for bail was made either time.

Norma Dutton in happier times at the Pavilion on Melbourne Cup Day 2022.

Police were called to Callemonda Road and Mary Valley Road around 2pm Monday, May 26, to reports a Suzuki Kizashi had crashed into a tree.

The passengers, Mr Millers and Ms Dutton, both died at the scene.

Natahalia Franz, who said her father used to work with Mr Millers on pineapple farms throughout Imbil, Dagan, Amamoor and Mary Valley, posted a touching tribute on Facebook.

“Clive “Fatty” Millers, you were family, growing up in Kandanga, you walked past our house daily for the newspaper, would stop in for footy tipping, collect a carton of eggs from us and even some pineapples,” she wrote.

“You had the most beautiful birds in your (aviary) out the back of your home and I used to love visiting them and feeding them! (The peach faces were a favourite).

“You worked with dad for many years, you brought a smile to everyone’s faces and were just the kindest soul.

“Your sister Norma, not as involved but know she was kind, caring and very considerate and loving to you and everyone she met, she could make anyone smile with a sweet conversation as she was always happy to talk.”

Lauren Collins posted on Facebook that Ms Dutton was still volunteering up until her death.

“Absolutely devastating for her and Clive’s family, chosen family and local community,” she wrote.

“Children to adults just loved and respected this wonderful woman that has been taken tragically before her time.”

Investigators continue to appeal to anyone who may have relevant information leading up to the crash or dashcam footage to come forward.
Anyone who may have seen the car travelling around Brooloo or Kandanga on Monday afternoon is asked to come forward.

Investigators from the Forensic Crash Unit have attended the scene on Mary Valley Highway.