Brett James Kirby remanded in custody on dangerous driving, obstructing police charges

Police have thanked witnesses to an alleged serious crash in Bundaberg, who helped track and arrest the 36-year-old man accused of causing it all then trying to run away.

The driver of a car that allegedly crashed into multiple vehicles while travelling at speed in Takalvan St, Bundaberg, on Sunday will face court at the end of February 2024.

Lawyers for Brett James Kirby, 36, of Alloway, appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday to request an adjournment to February 23.

Mr Kirby has been remanded in custody while facing charges including dangerous operation of a vehicle and being adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, driving an uninsured and unregistered vehicle and obstructing police.

Brett James Kirby was remanded in custody while facing dangerous driving, obstructing police charges for allegedly crashing into multiple vehicles while traveling at speed on Sunday.

On Monday, February 5, Bundaberg police thanked the efforts of witnesses who played a role in the arrest of Mr Kirby following an alleged serious crash in Avoca on Sunday.

Emergency services attended the scene of the accident in Takalvan St on Sunday, February 4, about 1.10pm after a white Ford allegedly crashed into multiple vehicles while traveling at speed.

Sergeant Colin McLean spoke on the crash involving multiple cars, witnesses and victims, at a stand-up on Monday.

Sgt McLean thanked the quick work of the community, who after witnessing the crash, tracked the driver and helped in his arrest.

“As a result of the crash services have responded and the driver of the vehicle has attempted to run away,” Sgt McLean said.

Sergeant Colin McLean thanked the community for their support following the serious Avoca crash.

“With the assistance of members of the public and witnesses, we were able to quickly arrest that (alleged) offender.”

Mr Kirby was arrested and taken to the Bundaberg Hospital for “non-life threatening injuries”.

Mr Kirby has been charged with one count each of dangerous driving of a vehicle (adversely affected by an intoxicating substance), driving while uninsured, driving while unregistered, driving unlicensed, failing to comply with the duties of a driver involved in crash, obstructing police, and failing to provide specimen of breath or blood.

“Police will be opposing bail,” Sgt Mclean said.

“We do thank the members of the public that did render assistance to the other people in the vehicles and also people that helped identify the direction that the offender ran in so we could arrest him,” he said.

A lucky escape for five people after a two car crash outside Godfreys in Bundaberg on Sunday, February 4, 2024. Picture: Nicole Strathdee

Speaking on the accident, Sgt McLean said it was pure luck the incident did not cause significant injuries or even death.

“It’s a very lucky thing no one was seriously injured,” he said.

“[They] were all wearing their seatbelts and driving appropriately, if that hadn’t been the case, or if anyone had been, for instance, using a pedestrian crossing nearby, it may have been the case it could have been very serious or fatal.”

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444 and quote reference number: QP2400200693

Originally published as Brett James Kirby remanded in custody on dangerous driving, obstructing police charges