Case against teenager charged over Maryborough triple-fatal crash delayed

Frustration has spilt over at court after more delays in the case against a young teenager allegedly involved in a triple fatal crash north of Brisbane.

Reach Church members 17-year-old Kelsie Davies and church pastor Michale Chandler, 29 were killed in the crash, as well as 52-year-old Hervey Bay nurse Sheree Robertson, who was in a separate vehicle.

Frustration has spilt over at court after more delays in the case against a young teenager allegedly involved in a triple fatal crash north of Brisbane.

The then 13-year-old, who cannot be identified because of his age, is alleged to have been behind the wheel of a stolen car that hit the back of a Holden sedan on Saltwater Creek Rd in Maryborough on the night of April 30, 2023.

As a result the Holden, carrying church pastor Michale Chandler, 29 and dancer Kelsie Davies, 17, was allegedly pushed into the path of nurse Sheree Robertson, 52, who was driving back to Hervey Bay after working a shift at Maryborough Hospital.

All three died while a third person in the sedan, Kaylah Behrens, was left fighting for life in hospital.

The case has been delayed several times and was mentioned in the Childrens Court of Queensland on Friday where the child’s lawyer sought an adjournment in preparation of a psychiatrist’s report.

Barrister Tristan Carlos said progress had been made towards securing a psychiatrist but there was no fixed timeline.

He asked for a two week adjournment in order to provide the court with a further update.

Crown prosecutor Ashleigh Worthington said the DDP was keen to progress the matter noting the child had entered a plea of guilty at the committal in a lower court last year. A plea has not yet been entered on indictment and the court heard the psychiatrist’s report would explore a potential defence relating to the child’s capacity.

“Just for the record we’re fast approaching a year since the horrendous acts … which resulted in the loss of three lives and critical injury to a fourth person,” Ms Worthington said.

Judge Deborah Richards interjected at what she labelled “grandstanding”.

“Can we just simply say you agree with the adjournment or you don’t,” Judge Richards said.

“I’m instructed that the crown’s position is that it is totally unsatisfactory but I note your honour’s comments about what’s needed to progress the matter. In my submission no more than two weeks for the court to be updated to the availability of psychiatrists,” Ms Worthington said.

Judge Richards has previously said she could not take a plea from the teenager if there was any question about his capacity. She adjourned the matter to May 21.

“Next time a little less of the outrage and a bit more co-operation with the court would be much appreciated,” she said.

The boy was previously charged by police with three counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court was unable to confirm the current charges stating it couldn’t provide a juvenile defendant’s charges by law.

Originally published as Case against teenager charged over Maryborough triple-fatal crash delayed