Case update, man accused of killing Heidi Riding in fiery crash

Following a months-long deadlock before the courts, a manslaughter case involving a Toowoomba teenager killed during a high-speed police operation involving an alleged stolen car has progressed.

Almost a year on from the tragic death of Heidi Riding, the case of the young man police allege caused her death, Kyaharlem Hazard, laged before the court as lawyers wait for police to hand over their dashcam footage, statements, and her autopsy report.

The manslaughter case of a Toowoomba man accused of killing a teenager in a high-speed crash is slowly progressing through the courts after police disclosed all footage available from the police operation.

Kyaharlem Hazard, 20, was allegedly travelling at speeds exceeding 150km/h through suburban streets in Newtown when the car crashed, instantly killing his 18-year-old passenger Heidi Riding.

A year on from the horrific death of a Toowoomba teenager killed in a fiery crash, the girl’s parents say they’re struggling to grapple with how a ‘flawed’ justice system led to their insurmountable loss.

Police who were tracking the alleged stolen car arrived moments after the crash on July 14, 2023, just after midnight.

Mr Hazard was arrested at the scene and has been held in custody for more than a year.

Mr Hazards’ lawyers came to an impasse after making disclosure requests to the investigators to disclose the full brief of evidence, which included dashcam footage and police officer’s statements.

Earlier in the year, Magistrate Mark Howden directed police to provide the evidence or front court to explain why the easily accessible material hadn’t been handed over.

When the charges were mentioned before the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 9, Hazard’s lawyer Claire Graham told the court she was now in a position to move the case forward.

Recidivist Toowoomba property offender Kyaharlem Hazard has been remanded in custody since police charged him with manslaughter following a fatal car crash that claimed the life of Heidi Riding, 18, in July 2023.

Ms Graham confirmed her office had received all available footage from police a week before the court mention, and she intended to make an application in the coming months for witnesses to be cross-examined.

No update was provided on the other outstanding material, which included officer statements and Ms Riding’s autopsy report.

The case was adjourned to October 3 and Mr Hazard was remanded in custody.

Mr Hazard was charged with manslaughter, driving without a licence, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Heidi’s death is also subject to an inquest before a Queensland Coroners Court as it occurred during a police operation.

Originally published as Case update, man accused of killing Heidi Riding in fiery crash