Toowoomba crash victim Heidi Riding killed six months after losing partner Jemmah Cole-Crighton in similar circumstances

The young victim of a horrific Toowoomba crash, involving an allegedly stolen car, died exactly six months after she lost her partner in similar circumstances, it’s been revealed.

In a cruel twist of fate, a teenager killed in a horrific crash in Toowoomba on Friday died just months after she lost the “love of her life” in similarly tragic circumstances.

18-year-old Heidi Riding, who was the passenger in the car, was the only person killed in the incident on Tor Street in Newtown early on Friday morning, July 14.

It is believed the allegedly stolen vehicle was travelling at high speeds when the crash happened and police are making further inquiries into the causes.

Heidi Riding died after an allegedly stolen car crash on near the intersection of Holberton Street and Hursley Road, about 12am on July 14, 2023.

Ms Riding’s death comes exactly six months after her partner Jemmah Cole-Crighton was also killed in a car crash in the early hours of Friday, January 13.

Ms Cole-Crighton suffered catastrophic injuries when the allegedly stolen vehicle she was driving crashed on the Warrego Highway just outside Toowoomba.

Jen Shaw, who knew Ms Riding through her youth support service Emerge, described her as a kind but troubled soul who had been rocked by her partner’s death.

Jemmah Lorrain Cole-Crighton died on Friday, January 13 after the car she was travelling in crashed at high-speed into a tree on the Warrego Highway near Helidon at about 2am. Picture: supplied

While she didn’t condone the behaviour Ms Riding often engaged in, Ms Shaw said the teen was brimming with potential to change her ways and find a new path.

“I’m absolutely heartbroken — I know she’s made some seriously bad choices but there is another side to Heidi that was gold,” she said.

“She was quiet but funny (and) absolutely loyal and respectful.

“She had so many demons but she was so determined to help other kids because she couldn’t give herself the same love.

“She had potential coming out of everywhere and she just couldn’t see it.”

Emerge founder Jen Shaw, Thursday, June 23, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Shaw said Ms Riding was on the cusp of turning a corner in her life when her partner was killed.

“She was crippled by grief all her life and grief kept re-emerging — she lost the love of her life under the same circumstances,” she said.

“How much can one person take? What she had to go through most of us won’t ever go through.

“There was this small window where we thought we could get her working; she had a mindset shift and then Jemmah died.”

Shocking photos reveal the carnage of a Toowoomba crash involving an alleged stolen car. Picture: Supplied

Ms Riding had only recently been released from detention, with her family saying they wanted her to be allowed to move to Tasmania.

Ms Shaw said an interstate relocation would’ve been helpful to the teen.

“I believe getting as far away from Toowoomba would’ve been highly beneficial,” she said.

“Heidi had a family and two loving parents who wanted to help her.”