Three dead in horror collision: alleged carjacker and sole survivor tried to ram victims’ car

The horror multi-car collision that killed three people when a stolen car allegedly chased two of the victims’ vehicle is being treated as a domestic violence homicide.

Police are investigating a horror three-car smash as a domestic violence homicide after a stolen car allegedly chased one of the other vehicles before trying to ram it, causing the carnage.

Gypsy Sattery, who was killed in one of the cars, had been in a relationship with Rafferty Rolfe, the 25-year-old sole survivor of the crash on the Bruce Highway near Federal in Queensland at 4am on Friday.

It’s thought the 65-year-old man who was also killed in the car with the woman did not know her and may have been a good Samaritan trying to help 25-year-old Ms Satterley.

Alpaca farmer Jessica Townsley, 38, who was the driver and sole occupant of the third vehicle, was also killed. 

Emergency services on the scene of a major accident on the Bruce Highway, Southbound at Federal (South of Gympie). Picture: Supplied

In a statement, police alleged one of the cars had been “chasing a man and woman in another vehicle” just before 4am on the Bruce Highway near Federal, Queensland.

Driving northbound near exit 244, the man “attempted to ram” the victims’ car, causing both vehicles to cross over to the wrong side of the road.

Gypsy Satterley, 25, has been identified as one of the victims in Friday's triple-fatal crash at Federal.

Ms Satterley is understood to have been fleeing an alleged domestic violence incident prior to the crash.

Alpaca farmer Jessica Townsley, 38, was killed in the horror crash. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

“A collision occurred between those two cars and a third car which was heading southbound, driven by a 38-year-old woman,” police said.

Police said Ms Townsley did not know any of the other persons in the crash.

Mr Rolfe was pulled from one of the cars.

He suffered serious head injuries and multiple other injuries and was taken to Gympie Hospital before being transferred to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where he remains under police guard.

Rafferty Rolfe survived the crash. Source: Facebook.

Police on Friday night confirmed Mr Rolfe and Ms Satterly had been in a relationship.

“Police can confirm the 25-year-old Yandina man was in a relationship with the 25-year-old Yandina woman who died in the crash at Federal,” a police statement said.

“Investigations by detectives from the Sunshine Coast District CIB are being assisted by Homicide Investigation Unit and Forensic Crash Unit are ongoing.”

Three people have died in a horror crash northwest of the Sunshine Coast on Friday. Picture: Sunrise / 7 News

Queensland Police Superintendent Ben Fadian said earlier on Friday it was unclear whether the man, who is known to police, was a driver or passenger in the stolen car.

Asked whether they were looking for anyone else involved, he said they were keeping an open mind.

“We’re not ruling anything in or out … and conducting investigations to find out the truth of the matter to find out who was there at the time,” he said.

Police said the vehicle involved in the collision had allegedly been stolen at knifepoint in a carjacking several hours before the crash.

A 25-year-old Yandina man has been charged with one count of robbery with violence whilst armed.

Police will allege he threatened a woman with a knife in Gympie yesterday and stole her Isuzu MU-X. He is scheduled to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, July 24

The woman and the children were not injured.

The car was stolen on Thursday afternoon a man held the female driver at knifepoint in Gympie. Picture: Queensland Police

Passing motorist Roshanna Bowman told Nine’s Today show on Friday morning she saw lights and trucks before passing the crash.

“As we got closer, we just saw this car completely just squished up against the concrete between the two different lanes,” she said.

“We’re not sure how someone could’ve possibly survived that, all the rubbish was on the other side of the road as well.”

A further three people were assessed in a critical condition but did not require hospital transport. Picture: Sunrise / 7 News

Drivers were warned the crash could cause significant delays on Friday, with motorists urged to use alternative routes.

In a statement, Queensland police said diversions had been set up at the site of the crash ahead of the morning commute.

“Motorists are advised of traffic delays due to a serious traffic crash on the Bruce Highway in the southbound lanes at Federal,” they said.

Police also confirmed southbound lanes would be closed for “several hours” at least.

As of 12.14pm motorists were advised all southbound lanes remained blocked and long delays were expected. Picture: QLD Traffic

“The road is completely blocked and drivers are advised to use alternate routes where possible.”

QLD Traffic reported all lanes remained blocked southbound towards Cooroy outside of Federal as of 12.14pm.

Emergency services remain on the scene while detectives from the Sunshine Coast District CIB and Forensic Crash Unit are investigating the circumstances around the collision.

Investigators are asking any witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage of the Bruce Hwy area between 3am and 4am, or who saw the white Isuzu MUX after 4.30pm on July 20, to contact Crimestoppers.