Izaac Raymond William Addis charged with manslaughter after crash that killed Nick Evangelista near Mackay
The driver who allegedly killed a father in a horror crash has a history of reckless driving, violence and attempting to pervert justice — but a magistrate thinks manslaughter might be a stretch too far.
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The driver who allegedly caused a horror crash that claimed the life of Ooralea father Nick Evangelista can be named for the first time, as his history of reckless driving, violence and attempting to pervert justice is revealed.
However a Mackay Magistrate has questioned if the case against the 35-year-old tradie was strong enough for the manslaughter charge preferred by police.
Izaac Raymond William Addis was allegedly behind the wheel of a black Holden ute seen driving dangerously on Hay Point Rd at Alligator Creek before travelling into oncoming traffic.
The car crashed into a silver Kia sedan about 5pm on January 7, 2025, carrying Mr Evangelista.
The 58 year old man had been driving home, was initially trapped in his vehicle and tragically died at the scene.
Mr Addis, boilermaker, was subjected to a roadside breath test at the time and after an extensive five-month investigation police charged him with manslaughter over the crash, which was Mackay district’s first fatality for the year.
But Magistrate Damien Dwyer, during a bail for Mr Addis on Wednesday, questioned if manslaughter was the right charge, stating it was “a very strong case” for another charge – dangerous driving causing death.
“But manslaughter … I can’t see it being a very strong case at all for manslaughter,” Mr Dwyer said.
Mackay Magistrates Court heard police have alleged Mr Addis’s blood alcohol was above the legal limit and Mr Dwyer said the reading “might be his downfall”.
Prosecutor Kat Pollard said Mr Addis had entries for unlicensed driving in 2024 and driving without due care and attention in 2023, which she argued fed into the manslaughter charge “because the weapon essentially used was a vehicle and he was driving at the time”.
But Mr Dwyer rejected that submission.
The court heard Mr Addis, who appeared via videolink from Mackay watch house, had already received jail terms for assault occasioning bodily harm, attempting to pervert the court of justice, and giving false material and information, which Ms Pollard said made him a risk of interfering with witnesses.
The court heard he had also threatened self harm three times in 2025.
Defence solicitor Rob Beamish, of McKay’s Solicitors, said Mr Addis was engaged with a care team, seeing a psychiatrist and his medication had since been altered.
The court heard Mr Addis, who had the presumption of bail, lived with his mother who was a clinical mental health nurse who was ensuring he complied with his orders.
Mr Beamish conceded it was a serious incident but argued the alleged offending occurred in January and Mr Addis had remained living and working in the jurisdiction.
He further said there were conditions that could mitigate any risks including residential, reporting and no contact with witness orders.
“He won’t drive a motor vehicle of any description until the matter is finalised,” Mr Beamish told the court.
Mr Dwyer reiterated he did not think the evidence was strong on the current charge but found Mr Addis had a “terrible history” that included violence, giving false information to authorities and a conviction for attempting to pervert justice.
“So I’m not satisfied at all that you’re not going to interfere with witnesses,” Mr Dwyer said, adding he also had concerns Mr Addis was a threat to himself.
“So for your own protection I’m not going to let you out.”
Bail was refused, Mr Addis was remanded in custody and matters were adjourned to July 30 for committal mention.
Mr Evangelista was described by those who knew him as “one of the nicest people you could meet”.
A GoFundMe for Mr Evangelista raised $18,948 in 17 hours, from 235 donations.
Mr Evangelista’s children were still in the Philippines with a fundraiser to help to bring his children to Australia “to see their father for the last time”.
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Originally published as Izaac Raymond William Addis charged with manslaughter after crash that killed Nick Evangelista near Mackay
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