Orlando Tauaa, 19, granted bail in Beenleigh Magistrates Court charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death

The learner driver allegedly behind the wheel of a speeding car that fatally struck a pedestrian in Brisbane’s south has been granted bail despite police concerns.

Police on scene at the Intersection of Kessels Road and Orange Grove Road after the fatal crash. Picture: John Gass

A teenage learner driver was allegedly driving on his own at 144km/h in a 70km/h zone when he lost control and fatally struck a woman out walking, a court has heard.

Orlando Tauaa, 19, who has a partner and a child, was granted bail in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Tuesday despite police submitting he was “a danger to the community”.

He is charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while excessively speeding and a learner driver unaccompanied.

Orlando Tauaa leaves Beenleigh court after receiving bail. Picture: Josh Woning

On September 19, a 35-year-old woman was killed when she was struck by the vehicle while walking near Kessels Rd at Coopers Plains about 4.45am.

Court documents named the Coopers Plains woman as Tess Watschur.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jeanette Mitchell told the court Tauaa was allegedly on his learner licence unsupervised and speeding.

“The aggravated feature is the speed, police will allege the offender was driving 144km/h in a 70km/h zone ,” she said.

The car involved in a serious crash on Kessels Rd at Coopers Plains last week. Picture: Samantha Scott

“He has lost control rotating in anticlockwise direction before mounting a southern curve impacting a number of concrete bollards.

“This has caused further rotation of the vehicle with the car travelling on the footpath before impacting the fencing and a light pole before coming back on the roads surface.

“While rotating on the footpath the vehicle has struck the victim, projecting her onto a steel wire fence and into bushland south of the road, that victim suffered life threatening injuries and died on the scene.

“This member of the public was walking on the footpath, minding their own business.”

Sergeant Mitchell said he should not have any control of any vehicle on the roads.

“This learner driver took it upon himself to drive without supervision,” she said.

“He is a danger to the community, he is a danger to people on the roads, he is a danger to pedestrians.”

The court heard he had no criminal history, and defence argued he was too young to go to prison saying he was happy to abide by any conditions imposed.

Police on scene at the Coopers Plains fatal crash. Picture: John Gass

Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll said the charges before the court were clearly very serious.

“I accept the submissions by the prosecutor and I agree there are concerns in relation to safety to all members of the public,” he said.

Magistrate O’Driscoll said he noted the submissions on behalf of the accused saying he would not travel internationally and his passport would be surrendered.

Magistrate O’Driscoll granted him bail with conditions.

“I will grant bail with conditions, including that the accused does not drive any motor vehicle,” he said.

Mr Tauaa’s loved ones outside the Beenleigh Magistrates Court. Picture: Josh Woning

“The defendant shall before his release from custody surrender his New Zealand passport to the court of Beenleigh immediately and not make an application for a fresh passport or travel documents.

“The defendant shall not approach within 100 metres of any point of international departure from Australia.”

Magistrate O’Driscoll said he made an order to advise the AFP to arrange for a Border Patrol alert to prevent him from leaving. He was granted bail.

Orlando Tauaa with his partner on TikTok .

The matter was adjourned to October 14 at Holland Park Magistrates Court.

A large number of supporters in the courtroom breathed a sigh of relief as the magistrate announced his decision.

Two days after the crash, Tauaa posted on TikTok a montage of pictures with the caption “grateful to be here”.

The post included a number of pictures of Tauaa with his partner and child.