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Mackay police calling for witnesses over horror fatal crash at Alligator Creek

Specialist fatal crash investigators are ramping up a push for witnesses following a horror Hay Point Rd crash that claimed the life of hardworking Mackay father.

A black ute was allegedly seen speeding and dangerously overtaking over vehicles before causing a fatal crash on Hay Point Rd, Alligator Creek, that claimed the life of Ooralea father Nick Evangelista, 53, who had been driving home from work in his silver Kia. Images: 7News Mackay
A black ute was allegedly seen speeding and dangerously overtaking over vehicles before causing a fatal crash on Hay Point Rd, Alligator Creek, that claimed the life of Ooralea father Nick Evangelista, 53, who had been driving home from work in his silver Kia. Images: 7News Mackay

Specialist fatal crash investigators are ramping up their push for witnesses following a horror crash that claimed the life of hardworking father Nick Evangelista.

The 58 year old from the Philippines, who had been working in the Mackay region, was driving home when it is alleged a black Holden ute slammed into Mr Evangelista’s vehicle at Alligator Creek.

Tragically he died by the roadway on Hay Point Rd about 5pm January 7, while the surviving driver of the ute tested positive to a roadside breath test.

Police claim the ute veered onto the wrong side of the road before hitting Mr Evangelista’s silver Kia.

Dashcam footage already circulating around appears to show the ute swerving between traffic including over double white lines before the crash occurred.

Mackay Forensic Crash Investigators are calling for anyone who may have witnessed or who has dashcam or CCTV vision of the black Holden leading up to the crash on January 7, 2025. Images: 7News Mackay
Mackay Forensic Crash Investigators are calling for anyone who may have witnessed or who has dashcam or CCTV vision of the black Holden leading up to the crash on January 7, 2025. Images: 7News Mackay

Mr Evangelista, who was initially trapped in the vehicle, suffered critical injuries died at the scene making it Mackay district’s first road fatality for 2025 – 24 lives were lost in 18 crashes in 2024.

A GoFundMe for Mr Evangelista has already raised $32,700.

The driver of the ute – a 35-year-old Hay Point man – received minor injuries and was taken to Mackay Base Hospital.

A black ute was allegedly seen speeding and dangerously overtaking over vehicles before causing a fatal crash on Hay Point Rd, Alligator Creek, that claimed the life of Nick Evangelista.
A black ute was allegedly seen speeding and dangerously overtaking over vehicles before causing a fatal crash on Hay Point Rd, Alligator Creek, that claimed the life of Nick Evangelista.

Both vehicles were destroyed in the crash. No charges have been laid.

Before the crash police say the ute reportedly entered the Bruce Highway from Mackay Bucasia Rd at Mount Pleasant travelling south before turning left and heading south on the Mackay Ring road at excessive speeds.

The 58-year-old Ooralea father had been driving home from work. Images: 7News Mackay
The 58-year-old Ooralea father had been driving home from work. Images: 7News Mackay

It then turned right onto Gordon Street at Bakers Creek where it has done a series of burnouts before again heading south along the Bruce Highway where it was captured dangerously overtaking other vehicles past Bakers Creek, Rosella, Chelona and to Balbera, police claim.

The ute was reportedly seen doing a burnout at the Bruce Highway and Hay Point Rd roundabout before entering a caravan park at this location for a short period where it allegedly did more burnouts before re-entering the roadway and turning off at Alligator Creek on Hay Point Rd at high speed moments before the fatal crash.

Mackay Forensic Crash Investigators are calling for anyone who may have witnessed or who has dashcam or CCTV vision of the black Holden leading up to the crash to come forward.

Originally published as Mackay police calling for witnesses over horror fatal crash at Alligator Creek

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/police-courts/mackay-police-calling-for-witnesses-over-horror-fatal-crash-at-alligator-creek/news-story/bd7c1e8fa00eb5e828e53b9d93effa26