Faces of the people we lost to fatal crashes in 2022
The past 12 months have seen a record number of road deaths compared to recent years. Speed, alcohol, distraction, fatigue and flood water have loomed large as we recount the horror year on our roads. See the faces of the people we lost here.
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*Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains an image of a person who is now deceased.
The past 12 months have been truly shocking with a record number of traffic fatalities when compared with recent years.
As with every year, the Fatal Five have loomed large with most fatal crashes linked to either drunk and drugged driving, inattention, a lack of seatbelts, fatigue or speeding.
But what marks 2022 out as particularly tragic is that at least four people died after they drove into flood water.
Across the Queensland Police Services Southern Region, which takes in Toowoomba, Ipswich, the Darling Downs and the southwest, a total of 58 people have died on our roads.
This is up from 50 in 2021 and the highest rate in the past five years.
Data collected by the Department of Transport and Main Roads found that across Queensland speeding was a factor in 27 per cent of crashes while alcohol contributed to 23 per cent and drugs were a factor in 19 per cent.
Here are just a few people we have lost in the past 12 months.
January 3: Raju Chikati, 27
Originally from India, Raju Chikati had dreams to study abroad and completed his masters degree in networking last year at the Melbourne Institute of Technology in Sydney.
It is believed Mr Chikati and his two friends were travelling north on the Carnarvon Highway late at night to assist their friends who were stranded in a remote area of Queensland. Heartbreakingly, Mr Chikati was killed when the vehicle that he was travelling in hit a kangaroo and crashed into a tree.
He was the first of dozens to die on our road in 2022.
January 7: Tanya Bendall, Daniel Hall
Family, friends and an entire regional community were in mourning after the cherished Pittsworth prep teacher tragically died in hospital after a multi-fatal crash at Stony Creek.
Toowoomba mum and loving wife Tanya Bendall, 52, died five days after her car collided with a Toyota Landcruiser while travelling on the D’Aguilar Highway with her husband.
Glamorgan Vale man 51-year-old Daniel Hall, who was driving the Landcruiser, passed away at the scene of the crash on January 7 at 10am.
Loved ones took to social media in tribute of Mrs Bendall, as many Pittsworth State School students and staff were left reeling with heavy hearts before the start of term one.
Read more about Tanya and Daniel.
January 18: Zak Stevens
Tributes flowed for a 21-year-old man whose tragic death following a horror crash devastated the Kingaroy community.
Zak Stevens tragically died when his car veered off Clark and Swendson roads and hit a tree, causing the car to ignite.
The young man died at the scene.
January 30: Brett Knecht, Maidie Page
Nobby truck driver Brett Knecht, who died in a horror crash on the Warrego Highway at Bowenville, was remembered as a man who loved farming, big engines and music.
“My favourite memories as a child was dancing to the chicken with him at grandma and grandad’s 60th birthday party,” Jennah Knecht said.
“My favourite memories as an adult was a sneaky session with a cruiser in our hands.”
Mr Knecht was killed when his B-Triple truck collided with a Holden Astra in January.
The collision also killed a 22-year-old Pialba woman Maidie Page who was driving the Astra.
She is remembered as a beloved sister, cousin and friend.
Read more about Brett and Maidie.
February 4: Thomas William Geitz
The 21-year-old Wyreema man died and two of his mates suffered critical injuries after the vehicle they were in hit a tree at Kingsthorpe at speed on a rainy night.
The crash was described as one of the worst in our region in recent years with emergency services working through the night to painstaking deconstruct the car and free the injured men.
March 28: Craig Cattell
The close-knit Pittsworth community was in mourning after born-and-bred Craig Cattell died in floodwater, just weeks out from his wedding.
Mr Cattell, 47, was travelling along Stirling Road when he was caught in the flooded Spring Creek about 4.20am on March 28.
He exited his car and attempted to walk to dry land but was tragically swept away.
Police launched an extensive search operation but could not locate Mr Cattell the water subsided the following day.
March 27, Vaena “Mela” Michael
A woman who tragically died in a horror crash at the Lockyer Valley in March was identified as Vaena “Mela” Michael.
The 28-year-old mum was working on a Queensland farm to support her two children she was desperate to return home to in Vanuatu.
Initial investigations suggested two cars travelling in opposite directions along Mulgowie Rd, Mulgowie collided about 9pm on Sunday, March 27, killing Ms Michael and critically injuring at least two others.
April 5: Stuart Harper
Stuart Harper was remembered as a hardworking family man who loved his bike and the freedom of the open road.
Sadly, the 74-year-old Caboolture man died after he fell down an embankment after a single-vehicle crash on Esk-Hampton Rd at Ravensbourne.
His good mate Greg McPhee was leading the ride that day and said Mr Harper was respected by all who met him.
“Stuey loved a joke,” he said.
“We were both in the trucking industry and shared a passion for bikes.
“He loved his family and always talked about his family when we were riding.”
Read about Stuart’s love of the open road here.
April 13: Nang Kyung Kim and three friends
Heartbroken communities across the Granite Belt were left grappling with shock and grief following the deaths of four young women in a horror highway crash in April.
Nang Kyung Kim and three of her friends were killed instantly when their SUV pulled out in front of a semi-trailer on the New England Highway at The Summit on April 13.
The four Korean women were aged 23, 24, 28, and 23, with at least two of the victims reportedly having been in the country for just weeks before the horrific crash.
The 41-year-old truck driver was transported to Stanthorpe Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and shock.
May 1: Trent Iacono
The close friend of a 23-year-old motorcyclist involved in a horrific crash west of Brisbane described the heartbreaking moment his life support machine was turned off in hospital.
“He would do anything for anyone,” he said.
“Trent would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
“He’s a great guy to everyone. Always smiling, always happy.”
Toowoomba man Trent David Iacono, 23, was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in critical condition after a serious single-vehicle crash involving a motorbike at Riverview.
Sadly he died a day later.
June 11: Scott Todd
Father of three Scott Todd died from head injuries sustained after he fell from a ute in the early hours of June 11 while it was driving along Darling St in Thargomindah.
The Bollan grazier was remembered as a beloved father and a fierce advocate for the farming families that had struggled through the recent drought.
Police have since charged a 27-year-old Thargomindah man with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.
June 16: Jared Schneider
The 21-year-old Newtown man was killed when he was stuck by a utility on the Gore Highway at Pittsworth shortly after 6.20am on Thursday.
Only a few moments earlier, the young man’s Pajero had collided with a semi-trailer at the intersection with Broxburn Rd and he had exited the vehicle.
According to the police report, he was then struck by a third vehicle, another utility, and died at the scene.
June 21: Keyhill Robert Gibbs
Friends and family posted tributes to a 13-year-old Toowoomba boy who died from critical injuries sustained in a serious crash this month.
Keyhill Robert Gibbs passed away on Tuesday evening, June 21.
He was remembered through a series of social media tributes including photos of him alongside siblings, behind the wheel of vehicles, and wearing balaclavas.
Police allege Keyhill was one of four boys aged 13-14 who were hurt when the allegedly stolen Holden Commodore sedan they were in rolled near Oakey.
Read about this tragic crash here.
September 6: Bryce Williams
Father of two Bryce Williams was tragically killed when he was hit by a car as he was jogging on a Nanango street in early September.
The Sunshine Coast man was working the town as a contractor and left behind a young wife and two beautiful children.
A GoFundMe campaign to support his family raised more than $371,000.
The Sunshine Coast man was working the town as a contractor and left behind a young wife and two beautiful children.
November 1, Brooke Dalton and David Connolly
The Dalby community was rocked when the young Booke Dalton and David Connolly were killed in a late night crash in the early hours of November 1.
It appears the couple veered off the road and crashed into the rear of a truck parked in Nicholson St.
Ms Dalton died at the scene while Mr Connolly succumbed to his injuries while in hospital.
Both were remembered fondly by their friends and family.
November 15: Jayson Halpin
The man killed in a horror highway crash west of Toowoomba was remembered as a respected and well-loved member of the community, with investigations under way into the cause of the crash that claimed his life.
Wilsonton man Jayson Halpin died in a two-vehicle crash on the Warrego Highway at Bowenville.
Police have revealed that initial investigations indicated that about 7pm a black Chrysler 300C sedan was travelling east on the Warrego Highway near Mason Rd when it collided with a white Toyota Landcruiser 4WD travelling in the same direction.
“You will be forever remembered for your cheeky laugh and edgy singing voice. You were always smiling, and loved a good time,” friend Emily Woods posted.
Read about Jason’s achievements here.
November 20: Will Turner
Young Will had his whole life ahead of him.
He has just finished high school at Scots PGC in Warwick and had lined up a boilermaker apprenticeship.
But sadly the 17-year-old Texas boy drifted into oncoming traffic on the Cunningham Highway and collided with another vehicle.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
Read about his short but memorable life here.
November 25: Melita Cupitt
The partner of Warwick woman Melita Cupitt, who tragically died after a single-vehicle crash in Morgan Park, offered a touching tribute for his late girlfriend.
Jake Mathers, who was dating the 22-year-old woman, said he would never forget her and that she was the love of his life.
“(Melita was) such an amazing person who loved the sunset (but) even the prettiest sunset could never compare with her beauty,” he said.
“She had the most beautiful eyes. You could stare into them all day long.
“She is the love of my life and she will always be in mine and my son’s heart.”
Police said Ms Cupitt was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle travelling westbound on Warwick-Killarney Rd at 7.55pm on Friday, when it left the road.
Sadly, the young woman sustained critical injuries as a result and died at the scene.
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Originally published as Faces of the people we lost to fatal crashes in 2022
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