Ryan William Victor Grafton identified as Uber passenger killed in two-car crash at Wacol

A young man who instantly died after a vehicle slammed into an Uber he was travelling in at a busy intersection at Wacol has been identified as a Gold Coast man with a criminal history.

A Gold Coast man with a lengthy rap sheet that included criminal offending across three states was killed in a horror hit-and-run as he and a friend took a rideshare through Wacol early Tuesday morning.

Ryan William Victor Grafton, 30, was killed instantly after a Ford Mondeo ploughed into the Uber vehicle shortly after 2am at the intersection of Boundary and Progress roads.

It is understood the rideshare car, which was travelling about 60km/h, was hit on the passenger side at speed. The driver of the Ford fled the scene on foot, sparking a police manhunt.

On Wednesday morning, police were still on the hunt for the driver and urged him to hand himself in.

Ryan Grafton, was killed in a crash at Wacol on Tuesday. Photo Supplied Facebook

The crash also left the rideshare driver, Hussein Ali Mohamed, 42, with suspected back injuries.

Mohamed was discharged from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Tuesday night.

Grafton’s 26-year-old female friend, Amelia Vinden, was rushed to hospital with chest and abdominal injuries.

She remains in hospital in Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Partially obscured CCTV footage of the crash showed a massive plume of smoke as one of the cars slid across the road from the impact.

Flashing lights from police and paramedics rushing to their aid could be seen soon after.

A 30-year-old man has died following a two-vehicle traffic crash at Wacol. Picture 7News

Mr Grafton’s sister, Lauren Bennett said he was the best brother and uncle who adored his niece.

“I’ll remember him admiring my daughter, he loved her more than anything,” Ms Bennett told 9 News.

The heavily tattooed Grafton, who has the words “never take my soul” and “death before dishonour” written on his face, appeared in a Gold Coast court in 2019 for a range of offences, including stealing cars, merchandise and using counterfeit money.

The aftermath of the crash at the intersection of Progress and Boundary roads. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A magistrate at the time described his offending as “totally out of control”, acknowledging his long history of drug offending and dishonesty.

He said Grafton had been sentenced for criminal offences nine times over the previous 18 months in Queensland and also had a history in two other states.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash, including the identity and whereabouts of the person behind the wheel of the Ford.

Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage were urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An Uber spokeswoman said the driver was a highly rated and respected member of its team.

“This is a shocking incident and we are deeply saddened by the passing of the passenger. Our hearts go out to his family and friends and we have reached out to offer our support,” the spokeswoman said.

“At this difficult time, we are also prioritising the wellbeing of the driver partner and a second passenger who are currently hospitalised. We are ready to assist them in any way we can.

The scene of a fatal hit and run where an Uber passenger was killed at Wacol. Picture: 7 News Brisbane

“We will continue to co-operate fully with law enforcement as they investigate this incident.”

It came a little over 24 hours after a father and daughter perished in a rideshare accident in Sydney.

Meanwhile, a man has been left with serious injuries after being hit by a car at Goodna in Ipswich.

The car had been leaving a property in Hillier St about 2.50am.

The man was treated on scene for serious injuries to his arm, leg, abdomen and head before being taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition.

Police believe the driver initially left the scene of the incident, but handed himself in at Ipswich Station a short time later.

The driver – a man in his 20s – was detained by police and is assisting with inquiries.

No charges have been laid at this time.

And a man was taken to the PA Hospital with chest pain and lacerations after he had to be freed from a car that hit a guard rail at Purga in Ipswich about 3.50am.