NSW Police release CCTV, reveal homicide probe after four die in Back Channel Rd, Wardell crash in northern NSW on February 24
Police have launched a homicide investigation and released CCTV footage of a “chase” moments before four people were killed in a horrific northern NSW ute crash – while heartbroken family have spoken out.
Police & Courts
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Police have launched a homicide investigation and called on the public for help following the deaths of three men and a woman in a horrific ute crash near Ballina in northern NSW.
Family of the crash victims have pleaded for information, while police also released CCTV of a second vehicle “chasing” the Mazda BT-50 moments before it rolled.
Superintendent Scott Tanner addressed the media outside Lismore Police Station on Tuesday. He said officers were looking for information on a second car linked to the Wardell incident – an early 2000s silver Toyota Corolla sedan “bearing stolen number plates”.
“We believe that vehicle was chasing the Mazda BT-50 just prior to the accident,” he said.
“I want to really state that there are now four families out there that have lost loved ones as a result of this homicide.
“We believe there are people in the community that know who was involved in this and we are urging them to come forward.”
Emergency services, including Richmond Police officers, were called to Back Channel Rd, Wardell after the crash shortly after 5.45am on Saturday, February 24.
A passer-by spotted the mangled vehicle by the road. NSW Ambulance paramedics found a man dead behind the wheel of the dual cab and three passengers – two men and a woman – had also lost their lives.
Friends took to social media to remember the 24-year-old woman, Sophie-Lee Fullagar. She was described as having “the sweetest nature” and “the biggest heart”.
James Doherty, 42, and Benjamin Watego, 50, were two of the men who died, while the third was driver Mark Dodds, 36.
Mr Doherty was described by those who knew him as “a gentleman with the warmest heart”, while Mr Watego was remembered as a man who “made people feel at home”.
It has been suggested in various reports Mr Doherty was a drug dealer in the Byron region and another car was chasing the ute to rob him.
On Tuesday, Supt Tanner was asked about the claims and said police were following all reasonable lines of inquiry.
He said family and friends of the victims were “very distressed” about the crash – and now face a murder investigation.
“ … their trauma has now been exacerbated due to the nature of what we now believe is a homicide … our investigators are speaking to the family continuously,” he said.
Detectives from Richmond Police and the Crash Investigation Unit have launched the probe under Strike Force Land.
Ms Fullagar’s mother, speaking alongside other family members in a video supplied by police, said: “Sophie was a really beautiful girl … she had a heart of gold”.
“She really had pure intentions as a person … she wanted the best for everybody,” she said.
“She never wished harm or wanted to hurt anybody. She’s always full of joy and light and love.”
The family urged those in the other car to “come forward” and the mum said “they need to speak about what happened”.
“My daughter was an innocent victim in this and deserves justice,” she said.
“They all deserve justice because they were all people, they all had families. Everybody loved them.
“People need to come forward to the police. It’ll give us some kind of closure. At the moment we’re all pretty devastated, pretty shattered and we need closure. We deserve that.
“My daughter, Sophie’s sister, is having to do this today on her birthday … and I’m really proud that she’s here, but we need answers … we deserve answers.”
Mr Doherty’s mum said he was a “kind-hearted person” and “if you needed something, he’d be there”.
“He would do anything for you. He grew up sailing, loving sport, soccer, anything you asked him to do – it was never too hard,” she said.
“It’s the loss … a tragic loss of life. If anyone has any information don’t just share it around with your friends, come forward and make it known – whether you’re prepared to share it with the police or not. But please do it for their families.”
The shattered mother said “the only way the (justice) system will work is by people coming forward.
“It will certainly give peace of mind to the rest of the families,” she said.
Police declined to provide names of the family members. It’s understood they have been struggling with media attention following the quadruple-fatal.
Know more about the crash, or have dashcam which may be useful to authorities? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Tips can be made anonymously.
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