Queensland’s ‘unacceptable’ road toll climbs to a devastating 88 lives

The faces of those killed on Queensland roads so far in 2022 have been revealed as the state hits a grim death toll of 88 people, with police pointing to a significant factor that has contributed to the total, and it’s not just speed.

Eighty-eight people have died on the state’s roads so far in 2022 after a horror first four months of flooding and wild weather contributing to the “terrible toll”.

Queensland’s road toll for April has already reached 12, with a spate of horrific crashes in the past week.

Four young backpackers from South Korea, aged 23, 24, 28 and 23, were killed when their SUV pulled out in front of a semi-trailer at The Summit, between Warwick and Stanthorpe, last Wednesday.

Father-of-four Alex Szilagyi was killed in a motorbike crash at Holmview, Logan, on Good Friday. Picture: Supplied

On Good Friday, Logan father Alex Szilagyi died after the motorbike he was riding collided with a car at the intersection of Pepper Tree Drive and Teys Road at Holmview about 12.30pm.

Tragically his wife Debbie, who was pregnant with his fifth child, witnessed the crash.

On Monday, Alan Atherton was on a birthday motorbike ride his teenage daughter when a car crashed into the pair on the Bruce Highway at Koumala, near Mackay.

Alan Atherton, 60, died in a Bruce Highway crash near Koumala on April 18. Picture: Facebook

Mr Atherton, 60, died at the scene.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder said police were working to reduce the “terrible toll” and that wild weather and floodwaters had contributed to the high number of road fatalities.

“It’s quite clear that the weather conditions, particularly during the earlier part of this year, played a part in the road toll and that’s why it’s very important that people drive to the conditions,” he said.

“The impacts of these crashes are widespread throughout our community not only with those who must deal with losing a loved one but also those coming to terms with lifelong injuries.”

Over the Easter period, Queensland Police issued 3,788 traffic infringements to drivers.

Police busted 1,217 speeding drivers and 471 motorists were caught while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

FACES OF QLD’S ROAD TOLL

Lianah Paige Power

Lianah Paige Power, 21, died from injuries sustained in a traffic crash on March 28 at Dayboro. Photo: Supplied

The 21-year-old was behind the wheel of her hatchback when it crashed head on with another car at Dayboro, in the Moreton Bay region on March 28.

Ms Power, from Warner, was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where she died from her injuries the next day.

She was remembered by family for her kind heart, compassionate soul, fun-loving nature and love of music.

John Hoghes and Jesse Madden

John Hoghes and Jesse Madden were killed in a horror crash on the D'Aguilar Hwy on April 10.

John ‘Little John’ Hoghes and Jesse Madden died when the car they were travelling in rolled and slammed into a power pole on the D’Aguilar Hwy between Kingaroy and Nanango on April 10.

A 28-year-old Kingaroy man was flown to Brisbane in a serious condition.

Mr Hoghes was remembered by friends and family as a wonderful son and brother and Mr Madden’s family said he had a “heart of gold”.

Alex Szilagyi

Father-of-four Alex Szilagyi was killed in a motorbike crash at Holmview, Logan, on Good Friday. Picture: Supplied

People from across the world paid tribute to father-of-four Alex Szilagyi after he was killed in a motorbike crash in Logan on Good Friday.

Mr Szilagyi died after the motorbike he was riding collided with a car at the intersection of Pepper Tree Drive and Teys Road about 12.30pm.

His pregnant wife Debbie witnessed the crash.

A GoFundMe was established to support the family and pay for Mr Szilagyi’s funeral and has raised more than $160,000.

Alan Atherton

Alan Atherton, 60, died in a Bruce Highway crash near Koumala on April 18. Picture: Facebook

Alan Atherton was on a birthday ride with his 19-year-old daughter Hannah when he was killed in a horror Bruce Highway crash on Easter Monday.

Acting Inspector Anthony Cowan said initial investigations suggested a car had stopped on the side of the road near McNeil Rd at Koumala, and did a U-turn in front of the motorbike.

On Wednesday his daughter remained in a critical condition.

Darren Mallory

Darren Mallory died after a crash on the Gateway Motorway at Carindale on March 24.

Darren Mallory, 52, from southeast Brisbane, was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition on March 24 after his vehicle crashed into the back of a stationary tow truck on the Gateway Motorway at Carindale around 1.30am.

Mr Mallory died as a result of his injuries on Saturday.

The Brisbane father was remembered as a person who helped others and made people laugh.