Susan Marcus mourns daughter Kelsie Davies after fatal crash

The heartbroken mother of one of three women who died in a crash involving an allegedly stolen car driven by a 13-year-old boy has revealed why her daughter was out driving that night.

Oakhurst teenager Kelsie Davies, pictured with her mum Susan Marcus, was killed in a horror crash on Sunday night along with two of her friends.

Kelsie Davies, 17, was “a true light of this world” who dreamt of being a dancer and was working full time as an intern at her church.

But her life would be tragically cut short, along with those of two other women, when the car she was driving was struck by another car, allegedly stolen and being driven by a 13-year-old boy.

The crash happened about 10.45pm Sunday when an allegedly stolen Mercedes-Benz was travelling south on Saltwater Creek Road near Sydney Street and collided with the rear of a Holden.

The Holden then crashed into a Mazda headed towards Hervey Bay.

Along with Ms Davies, Sheree Robertson, 52, a nurse from Maryborough Hospital and Reach Church pastor Michale Chandler, 29, died in the crash.

Oakhurst teenager Kelsie Davies was killed in a horror crash on Sunday night along with two of her friends.

A fourth woman, Kaylah Behrens, 23, was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital following the crash and remained in a critical condition on Tuesday.

The alleged driver of the Mercedes-Benz, a 13-year-old from Bundaberg, sustained minor injuries to his foot.

He was taken to hospital but released shortly after and taken to the Maryborough watch house where he was charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Kelsie’s mother, Susan Marcus, paid tribute to her daughter’s life on Tuesday, sharing her daughter’s final words – that she was going for a drive with friends and would be back soon.

Oakhurst teenager Kelsie Davies, pictured with her mum Susan Marcus, was killed in a horror crash on Sunday night along with two of her friends.

But Ms Davies would never come home.

Ms Marcus said her daughter was behind the wheel that night to complete her night hours for her learner’s licence, with her church friends Ms Chandler and Ms Behrens also in the vehicle.

“My beautiful girl was a true light of this world,” she said.

“She never smoked or drank alcohol.

“She was an intern at Reach Church and a youth leader.

“The other ladies in the car were from the church as well and they were her best friends.”

Ms Marcus said her family was devastated.

“Kelsie was my baby, the youngest of eight children and is desperately missed.

“God must have needed another angel.”

Ms Marcus said the government needed to act and prevent other tragedies.

“Kelsie deserved better,” she said.

Oakhurst’s Kelsie Davies died when a stolen vehicle, allegedly being driven by a 13-year-old Bundaberg boy, crashed into the back of the Holden she was a passenger in.

Riverside Christian College principal Michelle Gouge said both Ms Behrens and Ms Davies were “wonderful students and a delight in the classroom”.

“They were both women of Christian Faith and epitomised the Riverside Christian College values,” Ms Gouge said.

Ms Davies was a member of the Riverside Christian College dance crew.

“She was a beautiful performer and a great ambassador for the college,” Ms Gouge said.

Ms Davies graduated in 2022 and Ms Behrens was part of the graduating class of 2016.

Ms Chandler was also a “familiar face” to students as a youth pastor and her husband Matthew Chandler works at the college in a support role, Ms Gouge said.

Chaplains and a school psychologist are available for members of the school.

Teachers, year-level co-ordinators and heads of college will be supporting students to direct them to chaplains.

The 13-year-old boy faced court in Maryborough on Tuesday.

The matter was adjourned to a later date.

Originally published as Susan Marcus mourns daughter Kelsie Davies after fatal crash