Two charged over Injune crash which claimed life of Roma boy, 6

A little boy killed when he was allegedly left behind in a vehicle hit by a passing prime mover has been identified, as two people are charged with his manslaughter. More details have now been revealed.

A little boy killed when he was allegedly left behind in a car struck by a semi-trailer has been identified as Riley Wells, as two people are charged with his manslaughter.

The six-year-old from Roma died of serious head injuries from the crash on the Carnarvon Highway, about 20km north of Injune in southwest Queensland, in January last year.

Two people - Jessie Dennis, 34, and Summer Anne Harrison, 19 - were charged overnight on Wednesday in relation to the crash.

The charges come two days before the first anniversary of Riley’s death.

Investigators will allege a white Toyota Landcruiser was travelling south along the highway about 2.10am when it left the road and rolled several times, coming to a stop in the northbound lane.

Roma boy Riley Wells (right) died after the vehicle he was travelling in rolled and was struck by a road train on the Carnarvon Highway at Injune in January 2022. He is pictured here with his parents Ian Wells and Shanowahh Dennis.

Police will allege this vehicle was driven by 34-year-old Roma man Jessie Dennis with 19-year-old Imbil woman Summer Anne Harrison and Riley Wells as passengers. The trio were returning from a kangaroo-shooting trip nearby.

Detectives will allege the adults were able to free themselves, however the boy was not removed from the vehicle and he was still inside the Landcruiser when it was struck by a passing prime mover. He died at the scene.

LifeFlight airlifted two patients from car and truck crash scene at Injune.

Dennis has been charged with one count each of manslaughter, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and taking a protected animal.

Police will allege that Dennis had unlawful possession of an Eastern Grey Kangaroo.

Harrison has been charged with one count each of manslaughter and taking a protected animal.

Both were granted police bail and will appear in Roma Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 17.

The scenes of the crash north of Injune: Photo: LifeFlight

At the time, paramedics treated the drivers of the Landcruiser and the truck, the Roma man and a 59-year-old Brassall man, and an 18-year-old female passenger for injuries.

The boy was treated for critical head injuries but tragically died at the scene.

The Roma-based LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service helicopter had flown the two patients to the Roma Airport, where they were driven by ambulance to the hospital.

After the crash, Harrison shared on social media that she missed Riley.

“The smile u (sic) had would lighten everyone’s day without a doubt,” she wrote a month after the crash.

“Every night shooting all I think about is you and how much u (sic) loved shooting and pigging.

“Miss you more then (sic) words can describe.”

Harrison’s puppy was also killed in the crash.

Family friend Lynette Goodworth said at the time she was devastated by the news of Riley’s tragic death and its impact on his family.

“I knew how hard it would hit his family,” she said.

“Riley was a really lovely kid.

“He loved his brothers, he loved pigging with his dad, fishing and shooting. He was a real country kid and loved all the stuff that kids do out here in Roma.”

In just over a week, a Memorial Ride 4 Riley will be held for the first anniversary of his death from Roma to Muckadilla.