Sunshine Coast road fatalities since the start of 2022 | List
The cataclysmic loss of loved ones in fatal traffic crashes leaves an irreparable hole in the hearts of families and communities as we remember the lives lost so far in 2022.
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Shattered family members of fatal crash victims say they’ve been “robbed” of a lifetime of memories as the road toll on the Sunshine Coast climbs.
Up to 31 people have lost their lives on the North Coast District’s roads which encompasses the Moreton, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay areas, with 11 of those being from the Sunshine Coast.
Families and communities have been forever changed since the loss of their loved ones as they search for answers about what could’ve been done differently.
Darren Bartlett, the father of Lleyton Bartlett who died with Aaron Pitt in Woombye after being allegedly run over on Nambour Connection Rd, said three months on his since son’s death the pain was “still so raw”.
Mr Bartlett said his family was taking it day by day, having their good days and bad, but it was something they would have to live with forever.
When asked if there was a problem on local roads, Lleyton’s father said “definitely”.
“It only takes one stuff up behind the wheel and that’s what happens,” he said.
“You’re driving a weapon … if he was alive right now he’d be working, and living life.
“We were robbed.”
Sunshine Coast Forensic Crash Unit’s Sergeant Peter Cowan said any number of fatalities was too high but this year especially there’d been a distinctive rise.
“We’ve seen too many fatal crashes across the Coast this year and the state, they’re all unnecessary and traumatic experiences for everyone,” Sergeant Cowan said.
“What we’re seeing more of is frequent alcohol and drug use while driving and we have the government and police significantly increasing their drug testing roadside.
“Offenders need to be aware that running the gauntlet and driving on drugs, either recreational or prescription, they will be caught.”
Member for Ninderry Dan Purdie said the state of Sunshine Coast roads and police resourcing issues also had to be factored in.
Mr Purdie said fatalities increased during Covid lockdown and he understood several traffic branch police had been deployed to man border checkpoints.
For those who find themselves behind the wheel when their car breaks down there is a free towing service provided by the State Government to improve road safety.
A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the limited motorway breakdown service was used to quickly remove a vehicle from a motorway to improve road user safety.
“Ideally motorists should exit a motorway to a lower speed environment wherever possible if they are having difficulties with their vehicle,” he said.
“If this is not possible, motorists should pull over to the road shoulder as far away as practical from live traffic, stay in their vehicle, and report the situation to Queensland Traffic by calling 13 19 40.”
THE LIVES WE’VE LOST SO FAR ON SUNSHINE COAST ROADS IN 2022
Castor Zabala
The life of “always smiling” Bli Bli teenager Castor Zabala was tragically cut short days after he was progressing his application for the defence force.
Castor, 17, could not be saved after his car slid and crashed on January 14, 2022 in Rosemount despite the best efforts of witnesses and paramedics.
The Nambour State College 2021 graduate and son to Crystal Hann and step son to Bevan McMartin has been described as a “role model”.
His step aunty Kerrie McMartin said Castor enjoyed his time helping at the McMartin family farm at Bli Bli, picking strawberries or lychees and selling them at the shop.
“He will always be remembered as the kid who was always smiling or whistling,” she said.
“Saying he was extremely happy just doesn’t cut it.
“He was more than that to us.”
Nick Newell
Nick Newell of Cooroy, 49, died in a fatal motorcycle crash along Lawnville Rd about 5pm February 21, 2022 when his motorbike crashed off the side of the road.
Investigations indicated Mr Newell had lost control on a bend in the road and came to a stop in a spoon drain.
Police say Mr Newell suffered critical injuries as passing motorists stopped to give him first aid following the crash.
Emergency services attempted to resuscitate the 49-year-old however he died from his injuries.
Flowers were placed at the location of Mr Newell’s sudden passing as the Noosa hinterland community mourns the death of one of their own.
Ella-May Correa-O‘Hanlon
Ella-May Correa-O’Hanlon, 29, tragically died after paramedics, police and a passer-by tried desperately to save her life about 4.30pm on Sunday, February 27 near the Bruce Highway.
A passing motorist sounded the alarm after Ms Correa-O‘Hanlon was found near the intersection of Frizzo Connection Rd and Cunning Rd.
The passer-by rendered help before flagging down a nearby police officer to help.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and helped conduct CPR alongside the pair but the 29-year-old tragically died from her injuries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said the Criminal Investigation Branch had initially been involved in investigating the crash on February 27.
Sergeant Mansfield said crash experts believe Ms Correa-O’Hanlon was the only person in the vehicle at the time and had been flung from the car during the accident.
He said they were not investigating any suspicious circumstances involving a third party.
Ms Correa-O’Hanlon was remembered by mates and the Tamborine community as a woman with a thirst for life and a love for her son.
Lleyton Bartlett and Aaron Pitt
Aaron Pitt, 25, of Currimundi and Lleyton Bartlett, 22, of Baringa, were both repairing a broken-down bus on the side of Nambour Connection Rd when the pair were allegedly hit and killed by a car about 3.30pm Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Bystanders and paramedics rushed to the scene but all help was in vain as they succumbed to their critical injuries at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
A 43-year-old Warana woman has since been charged with dangerous driving of a vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance following the police investigation.
Childhood friend of Mr Pitt, Mitchell Randell, told the Sunshine Coast Daily it was a “real shock” hearing the news about his friend who he grew up with.
“He was a legend of a bloke, I grew up through my teenage years with him in parklands riding motorbikes and push bikes around,” he said.
“He always had a smile on his face and was just a top guy.
“He has a lot of friends on the Sunshine Coast.”
Mr Bartlett’s mum Lisa Bartlett paid tribute to her “caring” and “popular” son who had just completed his diesel mechanic apprenticeship in January.
“Lleyton was full of life, he always lived in the fast lane,” Mrs Bartlett said.
“He loved to play sports, he did motocross and hockey, and loved camping with his mates.
“He always put on a smile on everyone’s face.”
Matthew Makinson
Matthew Makinson, 31, of Booroobin, was found dead in the wreckage of his ute which crashed into trees off the Sunshine Motorway on-ramp at Mountain Creek on April 29, 2022.
Early investigations indicated his 2018 Mitsubishi Triton left the road east of Seriata Way about 1am.
A passing motorist spotted the ute in trees and emergency services were alerted about 7am but tragically Mr Makinson was pronounced dead at the scene.
His partner Charlotte Mumford said the popular horseman and talented rodeo rider was her “best friend” and “my hero”.
Tristan Ferguson
Palmwoods man Tristan Ferguson was engaged, weeks away from buying land to build a house, harboured his own business ambitions and at 25 was on course towards a bright future.
But Mr Ferguson’s life was cut short on February 9, 2022 when he died in a Brisbane hospital, where he had been flown after a horrific crash along Blackall Range Rd in Woombye on February 1, 2022.
Despite the best efforts from paramedics, rescue helicopter crews and hospital staff he was unable to be saved.
His employer, Chris Davis, a man who thought of Mr Ferguson as more of a son than an employee, said getting to know the young man throughout the past five years had been a privilege.
Mr Davis watched as Mr Ferguson made the remarkable transition from a troubled youth to a “lovely, hardworking young man”.
Neville Meikle
Neville Meikle, 59, had been with his car on the motorway off-ramp which runs underneath the Bruce Hwy when he was allegedly struck by a car driven by an 18-year-old woman on May 14, 2022.
Mr Meikle suffered critical chest injuries and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he passed away.
Tributes flowed for the “absolute character” in the weeks since his tragic passing with those close to the Brisbane man remembering him for his contribution the Australian Speed Skating sport.
Boy, 3, dies after horror head-on motorway smash in Coolum Beach
A three-year-old boy tragically died following a horror head-on crash that injured six others near Coolum on May 30, 2022.
A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed the young boy from Coolum passed away from critical injuries after he was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following the crash at 2.15pm on the Sunshine Motorway on May 30, 2022.
Emergency services were called to the scene near Yandina-Coolum Rd following the serious crash involving four children and three adults.
Police said initial investigations suggested a silver Mitsubishi Pajero was travelling southbound on the motorway when it collided with a Mazda CX-9 heading north.
The toddler was a passenger in the Mitsubishi Pajero.
He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries.
Charges were yet to be laid as of Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
Fatal crash in Aroona which took the life of a 17-year-old boy
A 17-year-old boy died five days after he was involved in a serious single-vehicle crash at Meridan Plains on January 10, 2022.
Emergency crews were called to Pierce Ave about 4pm to assist four teens after the crash.
Policy confirmed a 17-year-old Aroona boy who had to be freed from the car by emergency services died from his injuries on January 15 after he was to the Royal Brisbane Hospital with critical injuries.
Investigations indicate the vehicle was being driven on Pierce Ave at about 4pm when the vehicle left the unsealed road and collided with a tree.
Warana man, 87, dies after mobility scooter and car collide in Maroochydore
A Warana man died after a car and mobility scooter collided at a busy Maroochydore intersection on February 5, 2022.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed the man died at hospital after he was rushed to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.
Emergency services were called just before 9am to the intersection of Maroochydore Rd and Evans St, near the Sunshine Plaza and the Sunshine Coast Home homemaker centre after a mobility scooter and a Toyota Corolla collided.
Queensland Police said their investigations indicated the man had attempted to cross Maroochydore Rd via Evans St while a red pedestrian light was on before he was struck by the car.
The 87 year old died in hospital as a result of his injuries.
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