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David Nichols identified as driver of ute that crashed head-on with police van at Caboolture South

The driver of a ute that crashed head-on into a police van, leaving three officers injured – one critically – has been identified. It comes as police investigate whether the crash was a deliberate act.

Horror head-on crash leaves cop critical (9 News)

A ute that slammed head on into a marked police van, injuring three officers, did not appear to slow down before it crashed, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has revealed.

David Nichols has been identified as the man driving the ute that crashed into a police van, critically injuring one officer and seriously hurting two others.

He has been accused of a stabbing assault in Caboolture South moments before the crash.

David Nichols has been identified as the man behind the wheel of the ute that crashed into a police van, critically injuring one officer and seriously hurting two others.
David Nichols has been identified as the man behind the wheel of the ute that crashed into a police van, critically injuring one officer and seriously hurting two others.

The Commissioner said she viewed “extraordinarily confronting” footage of the crash.

Police are now investigating whether Mr Nichols, who had fled the scene of an alleged South Caboolture stabbing – where officers were headed – drove into the police deliberately.

“How they survived is just an absolute miracle,” Ms Carroll said.

“All I can say is thankfully all of those officers are currently safe and alive and with us.”

Superintendent John Hallam said police were reviewing CCTV and officers were still examining if Mr Nichols intentionally drove into the police vehicle.

Two cars, including a marked police van, involved in a head-on collision at Caboolture.
Two cars, including a marked police van, involved in a head-on collision at Caboolture.


“It’s really difficult to say at this point in time, so no I really can’t say,” he said.

“The police vehicle was on the roadway, you can clearly see that it is slowing and trying to pull to the left.

“But if you are familiar with the scene unfortunately the driver of the police vehicle didn’t have much space to go.

“He had an embankment on one side and a telegraph pole before him as well.”

Three officers, including a recruit, were seriously injured in the crash.

A senior constable, 37, was critically injured and underwent extensive surgery after the accident. He remains in a critical but stable condition in intensive care.

A male constable, 24, and a female police recruit, 23, also in the car were treated for their injuries and have been discharged from hospital.

Officers had been called to respond to a stabbing on Moon St but collided with the ute on nearby River Dr.

Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors said investigators did not believe the police crew in the van knew the ute was connected to the job they were attending before the crash.

Supt Hallam said it appeared the police had tried to avoid the other vehicle.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll at a press conference following the incident. Picture: John Gass
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll at a press conference following the incident. Picture: John Gass

The stabbing victim and Mr Nichols were believed to be associates, Mr Connors said.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said it could take months for officers to recover and support was being provided to the officers and their families.

“Policing is inherently dangerous, it comes with many, many risks but that’s what we do day in, day out,” he said.

Residents said there was a crash into a van on Moon St before the head-on collision with the police van on River Dr.

Shattered glass, fallen chairs and a smashed television also remained at the Moon St house on Sunday, with evidence of a disturbance in the living room.

Moon St resident Gess Messina said a group of people had moved into the house up the road only days before the stabbing.

Neighbours heard a loud noise before seeing a car had crashed in the street, and police arriving on scene.

Nearby resident Tiana Kirby said tensions were building in the street in the day before the stabbing.

“I heard a lot. A lot of banging, a lot of yelling about 1am of that day,” Ms Kirby said.

“The day before that, there was a lot of yelling and people drinking and they had only been living there about four days.”

The stabbing victim has been released from hospital. Mr Nichols remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/miracle-survival-no-sign-of-slowing-down-before-headon-crash/news-story/4836322488863e8f4ee81092dac457ec