Man jailed: Community icon, e-scooter rider killed in tragic Toowoomba crash

A Toowoomba court heard the tragic circumstances which unfolded in the lead up to a teenager striking and killing a legend of the Warwick rugby league community with his car, as the father and beloved husband rode an e-scooter.

Peter Roser who was killed while riding his e-scooter in Toowoomba on October 10, 2023. Picture: File

A young man who struck and killed an e-scooter rider while travelling 102km/h in a 50km/h zone through the streets of Toowoomba has been jailed.

Before the Toowoomba District Court on Monday, June 16, Dominic Stefan William Dolan pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and causing the death of Peter Rosa.

The court heard Dolan, then 19, was speeding on Richmond Drive near the Wilsonton Shopping Centre in October 2023, when he struck and killed the 61-year-old and well-known rugby league icon.

Peter Roser who was killed while riding his e-scooter in Toowoomba on October 10, 2023. Picture: File

Crown prosecutor Hamish McIntyre said the 21-year-old had no criminal history, although his traffic history showed he had been caught speeding a number of times, the last of which occurred just eight days before the fatal crash.

Mr McIntyre said although Mr Roser failed to give way at the intersection, if Dolan wasn’t speeding well over the speed limit, he would have been able to avoid the crash.

He said Dolan’s behaviour amounted to deliberate recklessness, which had a devastating impact on Mr Roser’s loved ones and the Darling Downs community.

Barrister Tristan Carlos said the tragic event had not only changed the lives of Mr Roser’s family irreparably, but also his client’s, noting Dolan’s remorse was enormous and he often experienced horrific flashbacks.

Police at the crash scene on Richmond Drive in Wilsonton about 11am on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Picture: File

Mr Carlos said a letter of apology written by Dolan, stated that the young father was greatly sorry for all the pain and suffering he caused, and he was now too scared to drive more than 50kmh.

He accepted the Crown’s position that a four-year jail term was within range for the crime.

Mr Carlos said in the minutes before the crash, Dolan was in a rush because he’d forgotten he told his father he would help him with work that morning.

Judge Dennis Lynch KC sentenced Dolan to a three-year and 6-month jail term, to be suspended after six months have been served in custody.

He said mitigating features of the sentence included Dolan’s genuine remorse, mental health issues, young age, good prospects of rehabilitation, low risk of reoffending, and the support available to him by his family, partner, and employer.

Dolan’s licence was suspended for two years.

The court heard Dolan had since sold the car involved in the crash which had a six-cylinder engine.

Originally published as Man jailed: Community icon, e-scooter rider killed in tragic Toowoomba crash