Tess Watschur mourned after Coopers Plains pedestrian fatal

A woman killed by an out-of-control car allegedly driven by an L-plater at more than twice the speed limit had travelled the world and volunteered for an animal rescue organisation before settling in Brisbane.

The vehicle at the scene of last Thursday’s crash. Picture: John Gass

A woman killed by an out-of-control car allegedly driven by an L-plater at more than twice the speed limit had travelled the world and volunteered for an animal rescue organisation before settling in Brisbane.

Tess Watschur, 35, described herself as relaxed and independent with a sly sense of humour on an online travel ­networking page.

She was walking near her Coopers Plains home shortly before 5am last Thursday when a Mitsubishi Lancer, allegedly driven by 19-year-old Orlando Tauaa, rolled off the road and hit her, throwing her into a fence and into bushland.

A court heard this week that Tauaa, who had a learner’s permit, was allegedly driving unaccompanied on Kessels Rd at 144km/h in a 70km/h zone when he rolled the car off the road.

Ms Watschur’s body was ­discovered by emergency services when they arrived on scene to find Tauaa out of his car with a minor injury.

She had suffered a severe head injury and died instantly.

Tauaa, who has a partner and young child, was charged on Monday with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while excessively speeding and learner-driving unaccompanied.

A court granted him bail the next day.

Ms Watschur grew up in Mount Eliza, in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, before travelling the world.

Tess Watschur

“I’m a very relaxed person. Not many things faze me, and I’m not one to scream, shout or let it all out about something, even if I’m over the moon about it,” she wrote on a travel page.

“I have a sly sense of humour, and are patient and independent. I prefer chatting to people one-on-one rather than in a big group, over coffee or tea as I’m not that much of a drinker or partygoer.”

She wrote that she had lived in Italy, Spain and Australia and had visited Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.

She listed her interests as singing, playing the guitar and learning languages.

“I’m currently living in the little Italian town of Macerata, about 40 minutes out from Ancona,” Ms Watschur wrote.

She also volunteered for a Victorian german shepherd rescue organisation and studied to become a qualified dog trainer.

Orlando Tauaa, 19, outside Beenleigh court. Picture: Josh Woning

Ms Watschur’s profile on the organisation’s website read: “She decided to volunteer her time to a rescue group to gain more experience … as well as to expand her own knowledge of dog behaviour and improve on her handling skills.

“She was asked to take on the role of adoptions co-ordinator and has adopted two dogs of her very own from the rescue.”

Two days after the crash, Tauaa, who suffered an injury to his arm, posted on TikTok a montage of pictures with the caption “grateful to be here”.

His matter will return to court on October 14.

Originally published as Tess Watschur mourned after Coopers Plains pedestrian fatal