By Sarah McPhee
A man has been charged with four counts of murder after allegedly running a car off the road following an attempted robbery in the NSW Northern Rivers region.
Alec St Clair faced Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday afternoon accused of killing ute driver Mark Dodds, 36, and his passengers Sophie-Lee Fullagar, 24, Benjamin Watego, 50, and James Doherty, 42, in Wardell, south of Ballina, in February 2024.
Sophie-Lee Fullagar and James Doherty died in the Wardell crash.
Police previously said they were treating the tragedy as a homicide investigation and released footage of a silver Toyota Corolla sedan travelling behind Dodds’ Mazda BT-50 on a bridge, taken before the ute left the road.
Police will allege in court that St Clair, 29, was behind the wheel of the Corolla after an attempt to rob the group at a meeting in South Ballina.
“When they fled in the Mazda BT-50, the man allegedly followed in a Toyota Corolla,” police said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Police will further allege the actions and manner of driving of the man led to the utility colliding with a tree, killing the four occupants.”
Speaking to the media in Lismore, acting Superintendent Grant Erickson alleged it was a “targeted attack” and the occupants of the ute were “chased”. He alleged St Clair knew some of the victims.
Police allege St Clair was driving the silver sedan behind the ute before the fatal crash.Credit: NSW Police
St Clair was arrested at Coffs Harbour police station on Tuesday morning and charged with four counts of murder and one count of assault with intent to rob while armed with an offensive weapon inflicting grievous bodily harm.
He did not apply for bail when his case came before court, and it was formally refused. His case returns to Lismore Local Court on May 14.
Alec St Clair has been charged with four counts of murder over the crash.Credit: NSW Police
The families of the crash victims shared video statements about their loved ones during the police appeal.
Fullagar was a “beautiful girl” with a “heart of gold”, who was full of joy and love, her family said.
Doherty was remembered for his love of sports and as someone who was always there for others.
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