Toowoomba fatal crash victims 2022: Brett Knecht, Vaena Mela Michael, Keyhill Robert Gibbs, Maidie Page, Zak Stevens, Tanya Bendall

Six months into the year and 14 lives have been claimed on Darling Downs roads. Here are the people we’ve lost on our roads in 2022.

*Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains an image of a person who is now deceased.

Fourteen lives have been lost on Darling Downs roads in only the first six months of the year, a stark increase from the death toll in the first half of 2021.

As the most dangerous month on our roads looms, Queensland Police have revealed the shocking numbers of fatal car accidents in the region.

The number of fatal crashes in the region has increased to 10 in 2022 from 8 this time last year on the Darling Downs.

In the Southern region, which encompasses the Ipswich and Moreton region, fatal crashes are up from 19 to 29 in 2022.

14 people have died on Darling Downs roads in January 1 this year, and in the Southern district 35 people have died.

At this time last year, nine people had died in the Darling Downs, and 20 in the Southern district.

Emergency services have issued impassioned pleas to residents thinking of travelling these upcoming school holidays.

Already across the state paramedics are attending to horrific crashes, according to Senior Paramedic Dermot Kelly.

“The saddest part is that 99% of road traffic crashes these days are preventable,” he said.

“Most of them are caused by speed, lack of concentration or not driving to weather and road conditions or being aware of your surroundings.

“Thankfully, because modern cars are the way they are, the chances of loss of life are reducing as long as people are wearing seat belts and doing the right thing.”

Here are just some of the people we’ve lost on our roads in the first six months of 2022:

Vaena “Mela” Michael

A woman who tragically died in a horror crash at the Lockyer Valley in March was identified as Vaena “Mela” Michael.

Vaena “Mela” Michael died in a horror crash at the Lockyer Valley on Sunday March March 27, 2022, aged just 28.

The 28-year-old mum was working on a Queensland farm to support her two children she was desperate to return home to in Vanuatu.

Initial investigations suggested two cars travelling in opposite directions along Mulgowie Rd, Mulgowie collided about 9pm on Sunday, March 27, killing Ms Michael and critically injuring at least two others.

Keyhill Robert Gibbs

Keyhill Robert Gibbs

Friends and family posted tributes to a 13-year-old Toowoomba boy who died from critical injuries sustained in a serious crash this month.

Keyhill Robert Gibbs passed away on Tuesday evening, June 21.

He has been remembered through a series of social media tributes including photos of him alongside siblings, behind the wheel of vehicles, and wearing balaclavas.

Police allege Keyhill was one of four boys aged 13-14 who were hurt when the stolen Holden Commodore sedan they were in rolled near Oakey.

Brett Knecht

Brett Knecht, 45, of Nobby tragically died in a truck and car crash on the Warrego Hwy at Bowenville on January 30, 2022.

Nobby truck driver Brett Knecht, who died in a horror crash on the Warrego Highway at Bowenville, has been remembered as a man who loved farming, big engines and music.

“My favourite memories as a child was dancing to the chicken with him at grandma and grandad’s 60th birthday party,” Jennah Knecht said.

“My favourite memories as an adult was a sneaky session with a cruiser in our hands.”

Mr Knecht was killed when his B-Triple truck collided with a Holden Astra in January.

The collision also killed a 22-year-old Pialba woman.

Maidie Page

Maidie Page, 22, was tragically killed in a crash at the weekend.

The grieving family of a young Hervey Bay crash victim paid tribute to the 22-year-old who was killed when her car and a truck collided at Bowenville.

Maidie Page, 22, was behind the wheel of her Holden Astra when the crash, which also claimed the life of 45-year-old Kenworth semi-trailer driver Brett Knecht, happened near Oakleigh Park Road in January.

Tributes flowed on social media as Ms Page’s family shared their shock and grief at the loss of their beloved sister, cousin and friend.

Zak Stevens

Tributes flowed for a 21-year-old man whose tragic death following a horror crash devastated the Kingaroy community.

Zak Stevens, 21, was tragically killed when his car hit a tree in Kingaroy. Photo/Rebecca Popenko

Zak Stevens tragically died when his car veered off Clark and Swendson Road and hit a tree, causing the car to ignite.

The young man died at the scene.

Tanya Bendall

Pittsworth prep teacher Tanya Bendall is being remembered for her kind and supportive nature after being killed in a heartbreaking crash on the Da’Aguilar Highway. Pictures: Supplied

Family, friends and an entire regional community were in mourning after the cherished Pittsworth prep teacher tragically died in hospital after a multi-fatal crash at Stony Creek.

Toowoomba mum and loving wife Tanya Bendall, 52, died five days after her car collided with Toyota Landcruiser while travelling on the D’Aguilar Highway with her husband.

A 51-year-old Glamorgan Vale man Daniel Hall who was driving the Landcruiser passed away at the scene of the crash on January 7 at 10am.

Loved ones took to social media in tribute of Mrs Bendall, as many Pittsworth State School students and staff were left reeling with heavy hearts before the start of term one.

Daniel Hall

A 51-year-old dad-of-two who was killed in a crash on a major highway northwest of Brisbane is being remembered as a loving family man while a friend raises money for his wife who was also injured in the horror head-on.

Daniel Hall, 51, lost his life when he was travelling eastbound along the D’Aguilar Highway on January 7.

The Glamorgan Vale local was driving a Landcruiser with 49-year-old Linda Hall and their 13-year-old son Steele when it collided with another car about 10.20am near Stony Creek.

Stuart Harper

Stuart Harper was remembered as a hardworking family man who loved his bike and the freedom of the open road.

Stuart Harper enjoying a cold on at Bull and Barley Inn at Cambooya.

Sadly, the 74-year-old Caboolture man died after he fell down an embankment after a single-vehicle crash on Esk-Hampton Road at Ravensbourne.

His good mate Greg McPhee was leading the ride that day and said Stuart was respected by all who met him.

“Stuey loved a joke,” he said.

“We were both in the trucking industry and shared a passion for bikes.

“He loved his family and always talked about his family when we were riding.”

Nang Kyung Kim

Heartbroken communities across the Granite Belt were left grappling with shock and grief following the deaths of four young women in a horror highway crash in April.

Nang Kyung Kim and three of her friends were killed instantly when their SUV pulled out in front of a semi-trailer on the New England Highway at The Summit on April 13.

The four Korean women were aged 23, 24, 28, and 23, with at least two of the victims reportedly having been in the country for just weeks before the horrific crash.

The 41-year-old truck driver was transported to Stanthorpe Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and shock.

Trent Iacono

The close friend of a 23-year-old motorcyclist involved in a horrific crash west of Brisbane has described the heartbreaking moment his life support machine was turned off in hospital.

Toowoomba man Trent David Iacono, 23, was involved in a serious motorbike crash in Riverview. Picture: Supplied

Toowoomba man Trent David Iacono, 23, was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in critical condition after a serious single-vehicle crash involving a motorbike at Riverview.

He passed away on May 2 as a result of his injuries.

Thomas William Geitz

A 21-year-old Wyreema man has died and two of his mates were sent to hospital to fight for their lives after the vehicle they were in hit a tree at Kingsthorpe.

The early police investigation suggested they were travelling along East Street about 12.30am on February 4 when their car left the road near the intersection with North Street and hit a tree.

Thomas William Geitz (left).

All four occupants of the car were entrapped in the vehicle which was wrapped around the tree.

Man, 21, dies in horror crash on Gore Highway

Police appealed for witnesses after a young man died in an early morning crash outside Toowoomba.

The 21-year-old Newtown man was killed when he was stuck by a utility on the Gore Highway at Pittsworth shortly after 6.20am on Thursday, June 16.

Only a few moments earlier, the young man’s Pajero had collided with a semi-trailer at the intersection with Broxburn Road and he had exited the vehicle.

According to the police report, he was then struck by a third vehicle, another utility, and died at the scene.

Boy, 9, dies after motorbike incident on Forest Hill Fernvale Rd at Lynford

A nine-year-old boy has died after he was involved in a serious motorcycle crash in South East Queensland on June 14.

Paramedics were tasked to attend the property on Forest Hill Fernvale Rd, Lynford around 4.30pm after reports the boy hit a trailer while travelling on a motorbike.

A rescue helicopter was dispatched as the boy suffered critical injuries on scene, however, he died a short time later.