Mirani father was testing new headlights when car with stolen plates hit his 4WD, police say

Police say a Mirani father was trialling new headlights on his 4WD when he was struck by a car with stolen number plates in the Pioneer Valley

A Mirani father had finished installing new headlights on his Toyota LandCruiser and was testing them Saturday night when he was struck and killed on the side of the road.

The 35 year old was sitting in his stationary 4WD when, shortly before 8pm, a white Mitsubishi Lancer with stolen number plates fitted, left Mackay Eungella Rd and struck his car.

The Mirani man was trapped inside his car and despite the best efforts of police and paramedics performing CPR, he died at the scene.

He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The 33-year-old East Mackay man police said was driving the Lancer was trapped inside the sedan but eventually freed.

Paramedics rushed him to Mackay Base Hospital where he remains undergoing treatment.

Mackay City Patrol Acting Inspector Anthony Cowan said investigators were trying to determine what caused the Lancer to leave the road in the Pioneer Valley.

“The driver of the stationary vehicle, police have done CPR on him and ambulance officers tried to revive him as well but unfortunately he was deceased on the side of the road,” he said.

More: Details emerge of shocking Pioneer Valley fatal crash

“At this stage we have no-one who saw the actual crash so we can’t indicate what caused the crash.

“It is being investigated by the Forensic Crash Unit.

“There’s been blood testing done on the driver (of the Lancer) and we are awaiting those results.”

Inspector Cowan said police had tried to intercept the Lancer earlier that night when checks revealed its number plates had been reported stolen.

He said the car was seen by officers at a roadside random breath test site before the crash.

“That vehicle was attempted to be intercepted by police earlier on in the eventing and that is subject to an independent investigation by the Ethical Standards Command and a report will be done for the coroner in relation to that,” Inspector Cowan said.

“Police tried to intercept that vehicle and were unable to locate it, and it was located later in the evening.

“I believe there were stolen number plates on the vehicle but I don't believe the car was stolen.”

The Lancer was fitted with number plates 503 YWK.

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Inspector Cowan said he could not speculate on what caused the crash as it was subject to an ongoing investigation, but implored motorists to be vigilant and safe on the roads.

He urged anyone with dashcam footage or information on the Lancer to come forward.

“If anyone has seen or has dashcam of this white Mitsubishi Lancer at any time Saturday evening prior to this crash, if you could ring Crime Stoppers,” he said.

Phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Mirani father was testing new headlights when car with stolen plates hit his 4WD, police say