Nebo fatal crash: Brett Daniel Matton charged over death of best mate Ethan James Durnsford

Taxpayers will fund some of the bill for a Bowen driver accused of killing his best mate in a horror crash involving a ute and a B double west of Mackay.

Taxpayers will fund some or part of the bill for a Bowen driver accused of killing his best mate in a horror crash at Nebo after his Legal Aid Queensland application was accepted on review.

Brett Daniel Matton, 18, is charged with driving without due care and attention causing the death of his friend Ethan James Durnsford, who was a passenger in the vehicle.

Brett Daniel Matton was charged with driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, causing the death Ethan James Durnsford. Picture: Lillian Watkins

The crash happened on the Peak Downs Highway on August 8, 2021, when a ute and a B double collided near Nebo, west of Mackay, about 5.30am.

Mr Durnsford, 18, died at the scene.

Mr Matton’s case was briefly mentioned on Tuesday when Mackay Magistrates Court heard he had obtained Legal Aid funding for his case.

The court heard his application had previously been refused, but had since succeeded following a review.

Ethan Durnsford, 18, died in a Peak Downs Highway crash near Nebo about 5.15am Sunday, August 8, 2021. Picture: Contributed

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Rosie Varley, who has carriage of the matter, asked for an adjournment so she could speak with Mr Matton about what he wanted to do with the case.

Ms Varley asked for her client’s appearance to be excused on the next appearance given it was just a mention.

“Or perhaps leave to appear by telephone if a plea is to be entered,” she said.

“In my respectful submission if the matter is to take a certain course it’s not likely to be done in the callover, I believe it would have to be set down for another date.

The scene of a fatal crash on the Peak Downs Highway east of Nebo, at Epsom. A Bowen man, 18, died at the scene. Another Bowen man, 18, was taken to Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: Tara Miko

“I can indicate that Mr Matton is in regular contact with my office.”

The case has been adjourned until late January.

Legal Aid Queensland offers legal help to financially disadvantaged Queenslanders across criminal, family and civil matters.

Anyone seeking legal aid must first apply for a grant and to be eligible they must meet the organisation’s financial eligibility tests.

Even those approved may need to pay a contribution if a lawyer runs their case.