Warrant out for young driver Tiege Close killed in Bruce Highway horror crash

Just days after a young man was killed in a horror head-on collision between a prime mover and a stolen car, fresh details have offered new insight into the driver’s exploits leading up to that fateful day.

Tiege Close, 20, died, when the stolen car he was driving collided with a B-double on the Bruce Highway at Bloomsbury about 6.05pm on February 1, 2023.

A warrant had been issued for the arrest of Tiege Close when he was killed in a horror head-on collision involving a prime mover and a stolen car between Mackay and Proserpine.

The 20-year-old was behind the wheel of a stolen ASX wagon when it veered into the wrong lane and into the path of the oncoming B-double on the Bruce Highway about 6.05pm on February 1, at Bloomsbury.

Mr Close, formerly of Mackay, was pronounced dead at the scene and the truck driver, a 31-year-old man, was treated for shock.

The blue SUV was stolen from a Mount Pleasant home the prior day.

The blue SUV stolen from Mount Pleasant and involved in a fatal crash killing the driver on February 1, 2023.

The highway smash closed both lanes of the major road network until the next morning, while what was described as absolute “carnage” was cleaned up.

It was the second fatal crash for the Mackay District in 2023, after a 31-year-old Nebo man died when he lost control of his vehicle on the Peak Downs Highway on the night of January 16, during the region’s wild weather event.

Twenty-two people lost their lives in 20 traffic crashes in 2022, which is the worst year for road fatalities in five years.

It was revealed Mr Close, who had since moved to Bowen, was known to police.

Fatal crash victim Tiege Close, 20, died when the stolen vehicle he was driving collided with a B-double on the Bruce Highway at Bloomsbury.

He was listed to appear on Tuesday, February 7 in Bowen Magistrates Court on one count of disqualified driving.

The offending occurred on December 3, 2022 on Leichhardt Lane at Bowen.

The matter was briefly mentioned in court that heard a warrant had been issued for Mr Close after he failed to appear in court for the matter.

Prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors told the court Mr Close had since died.

Acting magistrate Ron Muirhead recalled and cancelled the warrant and the charge was struck out.