Tanentoa Taureta faces Mackay court over tragic Sarina rollover killing younger brother

As a meat worker was sentenced for being behind the wheel in a crash which killed his little brother, a magistrate made a powerful statement about the condition of Queensland’s roads.

The scene of a crash north of Sarina which claimed one brother’s life and change the other’s forever. Picture: Janessa Ekert

A magistrate has slammed the condition of Queensland’s roads while telling a fatal crash driver no punishment imposed would likely be “as harsh as the life sentence you face without your brother”.

In the case before Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees this week, the court heard two brothers were driving home from their abattoir jobs at Thomas Borthwicks & Son, to work on their newly started gardening business when one was killed in a tragic crash.

The driver, Tanentoa Taureta, still suffered flashbacks to November 1, 2023, when his little brother was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Sarina.

Police prosecutor Leonie Taufa’ao said Mr Taureta had no criminal history.

“He has a somewhat dated traffic history for speeding (but) there is nothing else to indicate he is a dangerous driver,” Ms Taufa’ao said.

“My submission is the extra-curial punishment he has received in being the cause of the death of his brother, that your honour take that into account.”

Tanentoa Taureta lost his brother in a tragic accident on the Bruce Highway in Sarina and faced Mackay Magistrates Court on July 5, 2024, charged with driving without due care and attention causing death. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Mr Taureta pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention causing death.

His lawyer Robert Beamish said the cause of the crash was unknown with no obstacles or mechanical issues identified, but his client admitted to feeling fatigued after long workdays and little rest.

The court heard the 40-year-old was from Kiribati and had lived in Australia since 2009.

Mr Beamish presented several letters of recommendation from Mr Taureta’s associates in Jim’s Mowing and his church.

“I think we’d all have to be living under a rock at the moment to not notice the state of what’s going on with Queensland’s roads,” Mr Rees said.

“You are an active member of the church … it’s clear you are a hardworking man (and) held down two jobs at that time.

“It’s no wonder that fatigue played a part.

The brothers were travelling from one job to another when their car crashed on the Bruce Highway on November 1, 2023. Photo: Janessa Ekert

“No sentence I impose today will probably be as harsh as the life sentence you face without your brother, knowing that you caused the death of your brother.”

Mr Taureta was sentenced to two months in jail, immediately suspended for six months with his licence disqualified for six months.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Mr Taureta said he was relieved by the outcome but still felt sorry for his late brother’s wife and children who were “still on my mind”.

Originally published as Tanentoa Taureta faces Mackay court over tragic Sarina rollover killing younger brother