Amberley truck crash victim Ariel Jocson remembered by loving sister and friends

All three occupants of a car involved in a fatal crash on an Ipswich highway have been identified, as the sister of the sole victim pays tribute to her brother, who was just two weeks away from getting married.

Ariel Jocson was just 25 when his life was tragically cut short. Picture: Supplied

A young international student who died at an infamous Ipswich intersection had been looking forward to returning home for his wedding in just two weeks, his heartbroken family and friends have now shared.

The young Ripley man, who died in a three-vehicle crash at Amberley on September 17, has now been identified as 25-year-old Ariel Jocson.

Family friend Estela Thurlow said Ariel had been staying with her while he was studying mechanics in Australia.

Ariel had planned to return to his home country, the Philippines, in just two weeks time, she said.

Ms Thurlow said he had been planning to reunite with his fiance, who lived overseas, and get married during his visit.

“His [sic] really excited to go back home,” she said.

25-year-old Ariel Jocson and his fiance. Picture: Supplied

Ms Thurlow said Ariel had been going to Toowoomba to visit a family member the night of the crash.

“I got anxiety attack since last night when the police been in home [sic] to report the bad news,” she told The Queensland Times.

“I can’t accept it very sad.”

She said Ariel had been the passenger in the back seat of a vehicle driven by her friend, Richard de Leon, accompanied by one of Ariel’s friends, Kelly Joe Cortes.

“They are very kind boys and hardworking,” she said.

Ariel Jocson (left) and Kelly Joe Cortes (right) were both passengers in a Mitsubishi Lancer that crashed on the Cunningham Highway and Ipswich Rosewood Road Intersection last night, September 17. Picture: Supplied

Ariel’s sister Kristina shared her heartbreak over the news on Facebook.

“To have had a best brother is to have experienced an extraordinary gift,” she said.

“Our paths may change as life goes along, but our bond will remain strong.

“I will miss you my aussie boy.”

She told The Queensland Times the family had found out what happened to her brother when another passenger reached out to them.

They were now looking into possibilities of transporting his body back to the Philippines, she said.

Kristina Jocson (left) has shared her heartbreak in learning about her brother Ariel's (right) passing. Picture: Supplied

Ms Thurlow said she wasn’t very familiar with the Ipswich-Rosewood Road and Cunningham Highway intersection but that her husband had told her it was a “dangerous place”.

Members of the Ipswich community have raised their concerns about the intersection since last night’s crash, calling for faster progress to be made on long-awaited intersection upgrades.

“How many fatalities are needed before this intersection gets changed for safety?,” one Facebook user commented.

“That Walloon area is like a death trap,” another said.

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann told The Queensland Times two options for short-term upgrades to improve safety and manage congestion at the Cunningham Highway Ipswich-Rosewood Road, Amberley intersection were presented to the community in mid-2022.

“This is terrible news and any life lost on our roads is one too many. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and all those injured this accident,” Mr Neumann said.

“I understand the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is still finalising summary results from the community consultation and an update will be provided shortly, however the community feedback on the options was mixed.

“This project is one of my highest priorities, given safety and congestion concerns along the highway and intersection, and the rapid growth of this area.

“I am calling on the Queensland Government and TMR to release the consultation summary report as soon as possible.”

Richard de Leon had been driving a Mitsubishi Lancer that crashed on the Cunningham Highway and Ipswich Rosewood Road intersection in Amberley yesterday, September 17. Picture: Supplied

Police previously confirmed that a 25-year-old Ripley man died after a three-vehicle traffic crash at Amberley in Ipswich on Sunday night.

Police said a grey Mitsubishi Lancer was turning west on to the Cunningham Highway from Ipswich Rosewood Road at Amberley RAAF base about 6.45pm when it collided with a truck, which was travelling east.

The Lancer then crashed into a silver Toyota Camry before coming to a stop.

Police said the rear passenger of the Lancer, a 25-year-old Ripley man, sustained critical injuries and died at the scene.

The driver of the Lancer, a 33-year-old Highgate Hill man, was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition, and the front passenger was not hurt.

The driver of the truck, a 25-year-old Pine Mountain man, and the driver of the Camry, were also uninjured.

All are assisting police with inquiries and police have not laid any charges.