Faces, names of people killed on Sunshine Coast roads in 2023
Police have pleaded with drivers to be safe these school holidays as we remember those who were tragically killed on Sunshine Coast roads this year.
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Drivers have been urged to be safe on the roads as the 2023 summer school holidays begin following a heartbreaking year of fatalities.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said 17 people had been killed on Sunshine Coast roads in 2023, compared to 22 people at the same time last year - which Queensland’s deadliest year for road fatalities since 2009.
The spokesman said police will be “highly visible” throughout the Christmas holiday period to make sure it doesn’t end in tragedy.
“Police are focused on the safety of all road users during this busy period, and making sure everyone gets to their holiday destinations safely,” they said.
“If you’re drinking or using drugs and driving these holidays, think about what you’re willing to lose: your hard-earned money, your licence, your life or the lives of your loved ones.”
Department of Transport and Main Roads data shows there have been 242 fatal crashes in Queensland from January 1 to December 3, which has killed 255 people. The vast majority of people killed in these were drivers.
These are the people we lost on our roads in 2023:
Gypsy Rose Satterley, Terry Bishop and Jessica Townley
Gypsy Rose Satterley, Terry Bishop and Jessica Townley were killed in a horror fatal crash on the Bruce Hwy at Federal, north of Noosa, in the early hours of July 21.
Ms Satterley, 25, had been picked up by good samaritan Mr Bishop, 65, after she flagged him down on the side of the road.
But the pair were allegedly chased and rammed by a stolen vehicle, allegedly driven by Ms Satterley’s partner Rafferty Rolfe, before Mr Bishop’s car lost control and collided with another car driven by 38-year-old Ms Townley in another lane.
All three of them died, with Mr Rolfe left as the only survivor.
News of the horror crash sent shockwaves through Queensland, with tributes for all three victims pouring in.
Ms Satterley’s sister Sunshine said in a GoFundMe that “life hadn’t been kind (to her sister) ... but she still showed up every damn day and fought a battle of fighting for a better life, knowing she could nearly touch it finally, smiling, laughing and loving her way through all the setbacks.”
A statement from Mr Bishop’s family said he was travelling to a wedding in Brisbane at the time of the crash.
“Our family is absolutely devastated, he is a man that would always go out of his way to help anyone in need,” they said.
Ms Townley’s stepdaughter Montana said in a touching online tribute Ms Townley meant so much to their family.
“She was (our) rock,” she wrote.
“She would always have a laugh and brighten any day.”
Mr Rolfe was later charged with robbery, dangerous operation of a vehicle and three counts of murder, one of which is a domestic violence offence. He is yet to enter any pleas.
Christella “Stella” Tan
Christella “Stella” Tan, 52, was killed when an allegedly stolen Mercedes collided head-on with her Nissan Micra on Windsor Rd at Burnside on September 15.
She was travelling home from her shift as an aged care worker when the crash occurred.
Husband Bernard Wee said in a touching online tribute that his wife was the love of his life and his soulmate.
“Everyone will always remember her for her smile and acts of kindness,” he said.
The alleged driver of the stolen Mercedes, Izak Kane Sefton-Bennett, was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death adversely affected by an intoxicating substance as well as callous disregard to deceased. He has not entered any pleas.
Ben Hunter
Benjamin Hunter, 16, was killed on his way to Nambour Hospital after he was hit by a car on Image Flat Rd near Nambour on June 25.
The Caloundra State High student, who was also a member of the Melbourne Storm junior academy and talented Nambour Crushers and Sunshine Coast Falcons player, was walking home from the gym when the tragedy struck.
A candle light vigil was held three days after his death followed by a memorial at the Sunshine Coast stadium on July 23.
Mother Natalie Gorzalka said in a Facebook post her son was “a great footballer but an even better human being”.
“He didn’t care if you were popular, he didn’t care if you didn’t like football, if you were nice to him then he was your friend,” she wrote.
“No parent could ask for their child to be more than that.”
No one has been charged over the crash, but investigations are continuing.
Dawlon Smith-Saunders
Dawlon Smith-Saunders, 12, died in hospital after he was allegedly struck by a drink driver at Bli Bli on Father’s Day.
The young boy was riding his scooter along David Low Way at Bli Bli when he was allegedly struck by a ute driven by 27-year-old Nicholas Alan Semler Mitaros about 5.10pm on September 3.
Dawlon suffered critical injuries in the crash and was flown to the Queensland Children’s Hospital, where he later died on September 17.
Sister Letitia Smith said during Dawlon’s funeral on October 12 he “always had a way of making everyone feel welcome and loved”.
“You always meant so much to me and always will,” she said.
“We will never forget the love you brought into our lives.”
Mr Semler Mitaros was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and drink-driving. He is yet to enter a plea.
Hayden Webb
Buderim man Hayden Webb, 19, died after his motorcycle collided with a car at the intersection of Diddillibah Rd and Nambour Connection Rd at Woombye on March 21.
His brother Scott Webb described him as “the kindest, most caring person” who would do anything for anyone.
“Hayden is going to be missed beyond words,” Mr Webb said.
“He’s left an empty spot in everyone’s hearts.
“The world’s not gonna (sic) be the same without his contagious smile here.”
No one has been charged over the crash, but investigations are continuing.
Alex Cosic
North Lakes business owner Alex Cosic, 32, was killed when the earth moving truck he was a passenger in rolled into a creek at West Woombye on August 18.
The truck involved in the crash was from Mr Cosic’s business A & D Earthmoving, which was written off along with the equipment it was carrying.
The crash happened less than a week after Mr Cosic and his fiancee, Kiah Van Bruggen, had set a date for their wedding.
Ms Van Bruggen described her late partner as a compassionate man.
“He was a beautiful man that would give anyone the shirt off his back,” she said.
“He was always trying to help everybody wherever he could.”
No one has been charged over the incident, but investigations are continuing.
Aki Fukunaga
Fitzgibbon mother Aki Fukunaga, 45, was killed when a car was sent into her path from a separate crash on Kawana Way Link Rd at Meridan Plains on February 20.
She was rushed to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition, where she later died.
Friend Kristin Belsham said Ms Fukunaga was a rare person who spent time teaching others to do things for themselves.
Ms Belsham said the day after the crash, classes were suspended at Attitude Dance Academy where Ms Fukunaga worked and parents and students who had met her over the past decade gathered.
A 25-year-old Narangba woman was charged with drive without due care and attention and faced court on May 10, 2023.
Loretta Patterson
Imbil Real estate agent Loretta Patterson, 62, died after her car struck a tree along Eumundi-Kenilworth Rd at Belli Park on November 20.
It is understood Mrs Patterson was driving to her work office at Kenilworth when the crash happened.
The highly respected real estate agent had worked and lived on the Sunshine Coast for nearly 30 years.
Online tributes for Mrs Patterson described her as “a beautiful lady” who will be “missed by many”.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing.
Jesse Davis
Diamond Valley motorcyclist Jesse Davis was killed after he struck a parked car on Allamanda Ave in Little Mountain on June 28.
Brother Letoe Perrin Solomona described Mr Davis as “cheeky, loving and caring” person who cared and protected his mother like no other.
“(He) lived at his own pace, never could settle at any other time schedule other than his own,” he said.
“Helping others out was religious (for Mr Davis), putting others before himself.”
His partner Christie Marett said there wasn’t much the “kind-hearted man” wouldn’t do for his mates.
“He was also cheeky – always had that cheeky smile and always playing tricks on Kim (Ms Perrin), he adored his mum,” she said.
Ms Perrin said her son was a “beautiful young man” who had a smile that everyone loved, and he would give anyone a hand.
70-year-old motorbike rider
An unnamed 70-year-old Sunshine Coast motorcycle rider died after he collided with a a white 2016 Ford Ranger ute travelling west on Mapleton Rd in Kureelpa on April 20.
Police stated the rider “was immediately assisted by the driver” following the crash.
No one has been charged over the incident.
French student killed on Teewah Beach
A 24-year-old French student was killed after the 4WD he was driving crashed and rolled on Teewah Beach on November 26.
Four other tourists in the vehicle survived but were taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
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