Remembering the faces of Logan’s tragic road toll in 2021

After a horror year on Queensland roads, we are taking a moment to remember the lives lost on Logan roads and the family members who will be spending their first Christmas without their loved ones.

After a horror year on Queensland roads, Quest is taking a moment to remember the lives lost on Logan roads and the family members who will be spending their first Christmas without their loved ones.

Between January 1 and December 12, 268 people have died as a result of crashes on the state’s roads.

Sixteen people lost their lives on Logan roads this year, with 13 of the victims male.

Two women died - one was a passenger, the other a pedestrian. A 35-week-old unborn child also died in a traffic accident.

Fourteen people, including 12 men, died on Logan roads in 2020.

Logan Mayor Darren Power said most crashes were preventable.

“The bottom line is blokes need to lift their game,” Councillor Power said.

“Statistics collected by our road safety team show that speed, alcohol, disobeying road rules, and risky driving by motorcyclists are the main contributors to serious fatal accidents.

“It’s the same story every year.

“Although everyone needs to pay more attention to road safety, it’s clear that men, in particular, need to reassess how they approach driving.”

The Queensland Government has launched its Christmas road safety campaign Operation Tango Mistletoe.

Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said the opening of the state border will mean more traffic on our roads. He urged drivers to be patient.

Here are the faces of the Logan road toll in 2021.

Damien Otto

Family and friends of the 33-year-old Flagstone man who died in a truck crash at Tamborine have shared touching tributes to the much-loved truck driver.

Damien Otto, was driving along Waterford Tamborine Rd, near Logan, at about 5.40am on Monday December 20, 2021.

Initial police investigations indicate the truck veered off the road and collided with a tree before rolling down an embankment.

Mr Otto sadly died at the scene.

The 33-year-old, a much-loved son, uncle, partner and friend, grew up in Goondiwindi and attended the local state high school before moving to Flagstone. Mr Otto was an interstate driver with Williamson Bros Furniture Removals.

Read the full story here.

Levi Walsh

Levi Walsh. Photo: contributed.

Logan teen Levi Walsh, 17, passed away after a dirtbike accident in Logan back in July this year.

Levi was driving a dirt bike with his sister Trinity on the back when it clipped the kerb, throwing him into a pole on the roadside.

His parents Trish and James, both from Chinchilla, were at his side along with four siblings and his girlfriend, Jezza.

Friends said the former Chinchilla State High School student was well liked and a popular sportsman.

The family has nine children and friends said they were concerned about funeral costs.

Police said the helmet Trinity was wearing saved her life.

Read the full story here.

Jason Bennett

Jason Bennett with his daughter Brittany. Photo: contributed.

Jason Bennett died on a Logan road in May this year, after his fiance begged him not to take his motorbike.

The 48-year-old was on his beloved motorcycle when he died at the corner of Blue Eagle Dr and Ellerslie Rd.

Mr Bennett, a father to Steven and Brittany and a grandfather to Layla, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

Read the full story here.

Abel Prassler

30-year-old Bethania man Abel Prassler died following a two-vehicle crash at Slacks Creek in February this year.

Police said Mr Prassler was travelling southbound on Compton Rd when the motorbike he was riding collided with a red Nissan hatchback which was travelling northbound.

Police and emergency services attended but sadly Mr Prassler was pronounced deceased at the scene.

It is understood Mr Prassler was just minutes away from his workplace, the Honda motorcycle dealership, when the crash occurred.

He had proposed to his girlfriend Sarah Olguin in December last year.

Read the full story here.

Scott Kevil

Scott ‘Scotty’ Kevill was riding a motorcycle that collided with a truck at the corner of Magnesium Drive and Radium St at Crestmead in Janurary this year.

Paramedics provided emergency assistance but he died a short time later.

Family and friends of the Park Ridge man shared touching tributes.

“My heart’s broken,” his mother Cathy Kevill said.

Steve Kevill shared a photo of his brother writing: “ Rest In Peace my little bro, (you) will never be forgotten”

“Love (you) little bro. I honestly can’t believe it.

“Praying I’ll wake up for work and it’s all been a bad dream.”

Read the full story here.

Tori-Lee Coggan

Tori-Lee Coggan. Photo Supplied.

A 28-year-old Logan woman has been remembered as an “amazing mum who wanted nothing but the best for her children” after she lost her life in a horror rollover in August this year.

Eagleby woman Tori-Lee Coggan was one of two passengers in a vehicle which rolled on Beaudesert Beenleigh Rd at Windaroo.

Police said initial inquiries indicated the vehicle was travelling east when it left the roadway and “rolled a number of times”.

Family friend Rebecca Plum, whose daughter was best friends with Ms Coggan, told the Quest News Ms Coggan was “truly one-in-a-million”.

Read the full story here.

Matt Laurich

Mundoolun fatal crash victim Matt Laurich is being remembered as a fun loving man, larger than life. Photo: contributed.

Tamborine Mountain man Matt Laurich will be remembered for his happy go lucky attitude, big smile, giant heart, and love of rock music – after tragically passing away in a one vehicle crash on Mundoolun Connection Rd this year.

Around 11.30pm on Saturday August 21, Matt was killed and his 28-year-old girlfriend, from Tamborine, was flown to hospital with serious injuries.

Police said Matt, 31-years-old, crashed into a tree on Mundoolun Connection Rd north of Bambling Rd.

Witnesses to the crash attempted to help, but he died at the scene.

Matt worked as a mechanic, had a passion for Aussie rock music, was known for his loving nature, and grew up at Tamborine Mountain. His father Anton Laurich runs Big Drip Spring Water, on Tamborine Mountain.

Mr Laurich said him and his wife, Kirsty Laurich, were absolutely devastated by the loss.

“Matt is the type of person who had the knack of connecting with 4 year olds, 80 year olds and everyone in-between,” Mr Laurich said.

“He got on with everyone and everyone loved him. He had a heart the size of an elephant, and he’d do anything for anyone, anytime.

“We are so proud of him and love him unconditionally.”

Read the full story here.

Troy Vandenberg

25-year-old Browns Plains dad Troy Edward Vandenberg was horrifically struck by a car and killed in an alleged hour-long road rage incident that crossed Brisbane and ended in Logan in September this year.

Troy Edward Vandenberg was allegedly hit by a white Audi S3 at the intersection of Wembley Rd and Greenfern Dr, Browns Plains.

Mr Vandenberg, who has a five-year-old son, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Vandenberg was previously employed with a brick and block laying business in Brisbane and was an avid gym goer at CrossFit189 in Crestmead.

Friends have took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Vandenberg since his sudden passing.“RIP to Troy, who has left his young son behind and his mother…such sad news,” one friend commented.

Read the full story here.

Ashley Anderson

Ashley Anderson. Photo - Supplied.

Ashley Anderson, who tragically died in a crash at Bahrs Scrub in February, is being remembered as a beloved son, friend, and a talented young athlete.

Ashley Anderson, 17, a lover of baseball, recently represented Queensland in their under-18’s showcase as a catcher.

Tributes were shared on social media for the Beenleigh teenager who is being remembered as a hardworking and caring young man.

“He was just an amazing guy, hero to everyone and is a role model in every circumstance. Just the best person,” friend AJ Williams said.

Schoolfriend Kaea Leach said Ashley was “a beacon of life and joy” who would forever be in the hearts of his mates.“Ash was the most lovely, humble and down to earth guy. Really genuine and put people before himself,” he said.

Ashley was initially trapped inside the car, before being taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he passed away several hours later.

Read the full story here.

Unborn baby Sekani

A young Logan family is grieving the tragic loss of their unborn baby Sekani who loved ones say was ‘an angel destined for greatness’, following a serious traffic crash in Logan in October this year.

The devastating head-on collision between two vehicles claimed the life of Sekani and left his mother Kristen Barker, 25, in hospital with serious injuries. Her eight-year-old step son Kairon was also seriously injured, but her two year old son who was also in the car was uninjured.

Early crash investigations suggested a Subaru Forrester was travelling west on Chambers Flat Rd, in Logan, about 5.30pm before crossing into the path of a Toyota RAV4 and colliding head-on.

The 25-year-old male Subaru driver was the father of unborn baby Sekani and eight-year-old Kairon, and he suffered minor injuries.

A close friend of Ms Barker said the family was absolutely devastated.

Read the full story here.