Tristan James Watson faces Mackay court over fatal hit and run on Ron Camm bridge

The driver linked to a fatal hit and run was known to police before he allegedly struck and killed Brendan Moreland. Read what happened during his first court appearance.

The driver allegedly involved in a hit and run on the Ron Camm bridge was wanted on a return to prison warrant when police say he was behind the wheel of a stolen car that struck and killed Brendan Moreland, a court heard.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Tristan James Watson was also facing two dangerous driving charges in Townsville and had previously been convicted of dangerous driving in Rockhampton.

The court heard Mr Watson’s parole had been suspended before the latest series of alleged offending and he was on a return to prison warrant.

Police also allege the 28 year old should have known Mr Moreland had been killed in the incident when he allegedly drove off from the scene.

Mr Watson appeared in court for the first time via videolink on Friday, but his matter was cut short after he began swearing and striking the wall.

Days before the Bruce Highway crash that claimed the life of Mr Moreland, it is alleged Mr Watson had been driving a stolen car belonging to Mackay Regional Councillor Belinda Hassan.

The 35-year-old roadworker had been moving traffic cones when he was struck about 4am on October 26 during his shift. Bystanders performed CPR but tragically he died at the scene.

Roadworker Brendan Moreland was killed in a suspected hit and run on Ron Camm bridge in North Mackay on October 26, 2021. Picture: Facebook

A Toyota RAV4 with a damaged window was found at a Petrie St property about 5.20am that morning.

Mr Watson is facing about 18 offences including three counts each of evading police and unlicensed driving as a repeat offender, and two counts of dangerous driving in Townsville.

The court heard he was charged with dangerous driving as someone who had previously been convicted of the offence.

Mr Watson is also charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle at South Mackay on October 21 in relation to Ms Hassan’s car, as well as burglary and stealing car keys at Blacks Beach, a further unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving.

The most serious of the charges is aggravated dangerous driving on the Bruce Highway causing the death of Mr Moreland on October 26.

It is also alleged Mr Watson “ought reasonably to have known that the person had been killed and you left the scene of the incident other than to obtain medical or other help for that person before police arrived”.

Mr Watson is also facing a further charge of unlawful use of a motor vehicle on October 26 and two counts of unlicensed driving.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer had been reading out the charges to Mr Watson when he disappeared from screen before he began swearing when he was asked to move back into view.

“F***ing hell, I can’t f***ing see the thing,” he said, before the matter was briefly stood down so Mr Watson could calm down.

When the case was rementioned watch-house officers told the court Mr Watson was refusing to leave his cell, to which Mr Dwyer continued to read the charges in the presence of his lawyer.

Matters were adjourned to February for committal mention. A brief of evidence is due by January 7.

No bail application was made and Mr Watson was remanded in custody. His appearance at the next mention is excused.