Young couple killed in Alexandra Hills crash while walking their dogs named

Relatives, shell-shocked locals and politicians have all reacted to the horrific deaths of Alexandra Hills couple who were killed while walking their dogs on Tuesday. A candle-lit vigil is being held at the scene this evening.

Relatives, shell-shocked locals and politicians have all reacted to the horrific deaths of Alexandra Hills couple who were killed while walking their dogs on Tuesday.

Kate Leadbetter was six months pregnant with her partner Matty Field’s child when they were tragically killed at the intersection of Vienna and Finucane Roads at Alexandra Hills when they were hit by a truck which had been slammed into by an allegedly stolen LandCruiser.

Police allege the 17-year-old behind the wheel of the 4WD fled the scene on foot but was later apprehended, and was on Wednesday morning charged with the couple’s murder.

A candle-lit vigil was due to begin at the scene of the accident from 6pm.

The couple were killed at the intersection of Finucane and Vienna Roads in Alexandra Hills on Tuesday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Dozens of people have gathered at the site with Ms Leadbetter’s aunt Danielle thanking all those who turned out, including state Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.

“I hope this never has to happen again, thank you so much for coming, take care of your children everyday, tell them you love them,” she said.

One of the couple’s dogs, Frankie, was still missing until Wednesday morning, prompting Ms Leadbetter’s cousin, Kimberley, to take to social media to ask locals to help find Frankie, who has Addison’s disease.

With it, she shared a photo of the couple at Christmas time with their two dogs, cat, and a photo of their unborn child.

Frankie was later found weak but alive in bushland more than 2km from the crash site.

Danielle and her husband Jason Leadbetter remembered Kate as such a joyful person.

“I remember Kate as my flower girl at my wedding she was just so joyful,” Ms Leadbetter said.

Dozens of people gathered for a candlelight vigil at the site of Tuesday afternoon’s crash. Picture: Richard Walker

“Its hard to believe that someone doing such a selfish act could take someone’s life.

“I hope Anastasia Palaszczuk and our lawmakers are watching this and they change our laws... enough is enough.”

Ms Leadbetter urged Queenslanders to speak up saying she was ‘outraged’ when she heard the news.

“She was just everything that is beautiful in this world so Queenslanders posting on social media, I’m reading it, you’re angry, let’s change the laws, take this anger and challenge it into something positive so it’s not your child that you are burying one day,” she said.

Ms Leadbetter said she would be contacting Peter Dutton and asking him to change the laws nationwide.

“No more loss of lives, no more young families being killed because young offenders want to have their moment of fame.”

Kate Leadbetter’s Auntie and Uncle Danielle and Jason Leadbetter.

Detective Inspector Steve Hollands attended the vigil, representing the Queensland Police Service.

“I thought it was important for the Queensland Police service to be represented here to show our condolences to the poor victims involved and pay our respects to all the members of the public who intervened, provided assistance to the victims and located the offender,” Insp Hollands said.

“I drive this intersection on a daily basis, my family do, my daughters do, so it hits home that road safety is really important,” he said.

According to social media, Ms Leadbetter, 31, was an interior stylist, while her partner, 37, worked in fabrications. It’s understood the couple had been together for at least four years.

The couple’s neighbours have described the pair as “quiet” and “hardworking”.

A man who lived in the street and requested to be unnamed said he saw the couple walking with their dogs yesterday afternoon, towards the intersection where the crash occurred.

He said Mr Field had lived in the home for a few years and had been renovating the property.

Allenby Rd local Elisha Poore said she didn’t know the couple well but was deeply saddened by their passing.

“They were innocent people, they were good people.

“There are not enough words to fix the problem.”

Tributes have also been pouring in for the couple on social media, while a vigil has been organised for Wednesday night, with people asked to “bring a light to shine for the three lives lost” to the corner of Finucane and Vienna Roads at 6pm.

“This is beyond heartbreaking. Even more so now after seeing this photo” one Facebook user wrote.

“My thoughts are with this beautiful couple’s family and friends,” another wrote.

“This is by far the saddest thing I’ve read in a long time. I’m so incredibly sorry for their loss,” another said.

Matty Field and Kate Leadbetter, pictured with their two dogs and cat, were expecting a child. Picture: Facebook

A colleague of Ms Leadbetter’s at Valiant Interiors told The Courier-Mail she was a “lovely” person.

“She had only just returned to work last week,” the man said.

“She was stood down during COVID.”

Ms Leadbetter had worked at the company for about two years, the colleague said.

Mr Field was a fan of fishing and sports.

In an Instagram post last year, Ms Leadbetter said she was “taking a break” from interior work.

“Amidst all of the uncertainty at the moment, I’m taking a short break,” she wrote.

“Rest assured the remainder of the Valiant Interiors team are still hard at work so please don’t hesitate to contact them for all of your styling needs.

“It certainly is unusual but I feel optimistic about the lessons we all have to learn from this time.”

Police allege the driver fled from the scene after the crash. Photo Steve Pohlner

Locals have devoted themselves to finding Frankie, with one local councilwoman explaining the community had been “devastated” by the fatal crash.

“The community is … trying to find a sliver of good that could possibly come out of what has happened … Finding Frankie is one way the community is trying to help the family,” she said.

Locals are rallying together to look for the pet, who Cr McKenzie said was an “older animal”.

It’s understood the couple’s other dog was found and taken to Manly Vet Hospital.

One local, Adam Jones, wrote both dogs had “come running past when we went outside after hearing the bang, but we only managed to find one.”

“It bolted down Allenby Rd. Large breed, brown/ orange solid colour, leash attached.

“The dog I took to the vet had minor injuries and the other ran past at a great speed so assuming that it was scared more than injured, thankfully.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has offered her condolences over the deaths, describing it as “an absolute tragedy”.

“I really feel for their families and I express our deep condolences,” she said.

Asked if she had confidence that the government’s bail laws were working, Ms Palaszczuk said: “There will be a full police investigation.”

“I’m not going to be commenting on facts that I’m not privy to,” she said.

“I will leave that to the police to do so.

“But an absolutely tragedy that a young couple have lost their lives in such horrendous circumstances.”

She said the Government had “toughened up” on its bail offending laws and they were “very strict”.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli promised that the LNP would be asking questions.

“But today is not a day for that,” he said.

“I make the promise to everyone that this is not going to be something that we intend to walk away from.

“When these tragedies strike, they don’t just rip a family apart - they rip a community apart and we will be asking questions on behalf of Queensland in the days, weeks and months ahead.”

Redland Shire Mayor Karen Williams said the tragedy had sent shockwaves through the “tight-knit” Redlands community.

“Along with the Redlands Coast and broader community I am shocked and extremely saddened by the very tragic incident,” she said.

“I know the Redlands Coast is a caring tight-knit community that will be sharing the grief and will be willing to assist wherever they can.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all who have been impacted by it, especially the families and friends of the victims.

“I also wish to thank those local community members who responded at the scene, along with those who continued to search for Frankie - the couple’s dog.”

The 17-year-old’s case was mentioned in Brisbane Children’s Court on Wednesday but he did not appear.

Originally published as Young couple killed in Alexandra Hills crash while walking their dogs named