Mabur: 16-year-old driver second to lose life in horror suburban crash

The teenage driver in the horror crash along a regional Queensland street on Sunday night has lost their life days after a 22-year-old passenger was killed.

The 16-year-old driver of the horror crash along Spring St, Kearneys Spring on Sunday has tragically passed away.

Another shockwave of tragedy and grief has been sent through Toowoomba’s Australian-Sudanese community with the death of 16-year-old Mabur Deng.

Mabur Deng was the driver of the silver Mazda that crashed along Spring St in Kearneys Spring about 11.30pm on Sunday which also claimed the life of 22-year-old passenger Abul Deng.

It is understood Mabur passed away in hospital on Wednesday night after being flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with life-threatening head injuries.

Mabur tragically passed away on Wednesday evening. The 16-year-old was the driver of the horror crash along Spring St in Kearneys Spring on Sunday night and suffered serious head injuries before being flown to Brisbane.

Five families have been affected by the tragedy, and four families were part of the Sudanese community attending St James Anglican Church in Toowoomba.

More than $10,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe for Mabur’s family who described him as “nothing but bright and brings life and happiness to whoever he is around”.

The teenager was described as having a love for basketball and who was a great player and teammate.

Tributes have begun to erupt on social media for the young basketballer who had the “biggest impact on all of us at school and the school community”.

“Rest in Peace Mabur. You were too young. You will forever be in our memories and won’t forget you. Rest Easy,” Liv Brenann posted.

Abul Deng, 22, was a passenger in the car and was declared deceased at the scene. She has been remembered for her kindness.

Three other passengers, a 17-year-old girl, 20-year-old woman and 20-year-old man, were taken to the Toowoomba Base Hospital for treatment.

The two deaths in the one crash come within days of police issuing a sobering report over the state’s fatality statistics, expecting the deadliest road toll on record.

As of last week, the state is sitting at 287 lives lost, up from 210 killed in 2019.

Senior Sergeant Kim Hill from the Toowoomba Highway Patrol called on motorists to exercise caution during the holiday period just days before the horror crash.

With large numbers of drivers expected to hit the road over the Christmas period, Senior Sergeant Kim Hill from the Toowoomba Highway Patrol is calling on everyone to do their part to stem the loss of lives.

“We need to be courteous to each other, obey the road rules, ensure that we are not speeding, that we have our seatbelts on, that we are not driving impaired or distracted,” she said.

State member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki expressed condolences to the family and friends affected by the weekend’s fatalities.

Emergency services at the site of the deadly crash on Sunday night along Spring Street in Kearneys Spring.

“I extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the young woman who lost her life,” he said.

“This is a devastating event for our community and my thoughts are with all of those impacted.”

Originally published as Mabur: 16-year-old driver second to lose life in horror suburban crash