Teenager alleged to have caused fatal crash that killed pregnant woman and her partner to stand trial

A decision has been made on the fate of a teenager charged with killing a pregnant woman and her partner following a fatal Australia Day crash.

The teenager charged with the murder of a pregnant woman and her partner in a fatal Australia Day crash near Brisbane will stand trial over the pair’s deaths.

Katherine Leadbetter, 31 and her partner Matthew Field, 37, were killed walking their dogs in January after being struck by an allegedly stolen LandCruiser in Alexandra Hills.

The Waterford West teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to have been behind the wheel of the 4WD at the time.

Matty Field and Kate Leadbetter died after being struck by a 4WD being driven by a teenager on Australia Day.

On Wednesday, the teenager – who has recently turned 18 – was committed at Brisbane Children’s Court to stand trial on multiple charges, including murder.

He was not supported in court with a parent or guardian.

The court was told police had gathered statements from 128 witnesses over the incident.

Barrister Ruth O’Gorman read a short statement penned by her client to the court.

Officers on the scene of the fatal crash in January.

“He accepts that, by his manner of driving on the day in question, he caused the deaths of Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field,” Ms O’Gorman said.

“He further instructs he is profoundly sorry and remorseful.”

Ms O’Gorman said the teenager disputed that he knew that “by his manner of driving he would probably cause those death”.

Police allege the teenager ran a red light and collided with a truck, causing the 4WD to roll and hit the couple at 5.30pm on January 26.

The teenager is alleged to have fled the scene and was arrested hiding at a nearby house.

A trial date in the Supreme Court is yet to be set.