Mackay fatal crash: Reec Thiik Achiek charged with dangerous driving causing death of Chris Goodwin
The Brisbane driver accused over a fatal crash that claimed the life of beloved regional husband and father hid his face after appearing in court for the first time. DETAILS.
Police & Courts
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A coal truck driver has been charged over the Father’s Day fatal crash that claimed the life of beloved Pioneer Valley husband and dad Chris Goodwin.
The terrible tragedy on September 3, 2023, happened on a notorious stretch of road linking two Bowen Basin mining towns.
Mr Goodwin, 45, had been driving a 4WD that collided with a road train on Saraji Rd, near Phillips Creek bridge about 4.30am.
Confronting photos reveal the catastrophic damage to the vehicle Mr Goodwin had been driving.
Police allege the coal truck towing a trailer and the 4WD had been travelling in opposite directions when the trailer rolled colliding with Mr Goodwin’s vehicle.
He was rushed to Moranbah Hospital but tragically died hours later and was the eighth road death in eight weeks in the Mackay district.
Saraji Rd is a major roadway between Dysart and Moranbah.
As a result police have charged 28-year-old Brisbane-based man Reec Thiik Achiek, who faced Mackay Magistrate Court for the first time on January 17 charged with dangerous driving causing death.
Brisbane-based solicitor Troy Smith, of Smith Cambridge Lawyers, appeared by phone as a friend of the court saying Mr Achiek was still in the process of retaining him.
“That matter can’t be dealt with in this court,” Magistrate Damien Dwyer told Mr Achiek.
Because of the nature of the charge, the matter must be dealt with in the district court.
Dangerous driving causing death has a maximum penalty of 10 years jail.
The case was adjourned for committal mention on April 3 and Mr Achiek was allowed bail on his own undertaking.
The court heard the matter would be mentioned again in two weeks to check Mr Smith’s legal representation had been retained.
“One way or the other Mr Achiek this matter is going to proceed,” Mr Dwyer said.
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