Tristan James Watson to front court over Brendan Moreland death

A legal move has been made in the case against a man accused of running down and killing a road worker on a Queensland bridge. Read what happens next.

The case against a man accused of running down and killing road worker Brendan Moreland is headed for the district court.

Matters against Tristan James Watson were briefly mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Arrest footage of Tristan James Watson, the man charged over the allege fatal hit and run that claimed the life of Brendan Moreland

He is facing 26 charges between October and November including dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Moreland, which had a maximum penalty of 14 years jail if he is convicted.

It is alleged he was driving a stolen car when he struck the 35 year old, who had been moving traffic cones on the Ron Camm Bridge at the end of his shift about 4am on October 26.

Police found a stolen RAV4 believed to be involved in a hit and run on Ron Camm Bridge abandoned an hour later in East Mackay. Picture: Janessa Ekert, Lillian Watkins

Bystanders tried to keep Mr Moreland alive performing CPR on the roadside but tragically he died at the scene.

A Toyota RAV4 with a damaged window was found at a Petrie St property about 5.30am that morning and seized by police.

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

It is also alleged Watson, 28, tried to escape police custody at Sarina on November 2.

Solicitor Robyn Cathcart, who appeared for Mr Watson, asked for a two week adjournment so registry committal documents could be lodged.

Bystanders tried to keep Mr Moreland alive performing CPR on the roadside, but he died at the scene. Picture: Facebook

A registry committal is the administrative process of moving a case from the magistrates court to a higher court – in this case Mackay District Court.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer ordered the documents be filed by March 18 with prosecution to them by March 25. The case is listed for mention later this month.