Toowoomba woman Heidi Riding dies after allegedly stolen car crashes in to trees in Newtown

Friends and family of a teenager killed in a Toowoomba have appealed for the community’s support, with the sister launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise money.

Friends and family of Heidi Riding, an 18-year-old girl killed when an alleged stolen car crashed in Newtown overnight, gathered at the site to lay flowers in her memory.

One of Heidi’s “very close friends” Brooke Graveson was heartbroken to know Heidi had passed away.

“We heard the news this morning at 5am, (I was) shocked, and I cried,” she said

“I’m just absolutely devastated – it was only yesterday she messaged me.”

Heidi’s family have appealed for the community’s support, with sister Tamika Riding launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for an impending legal fight.

“This morning our beautiful Heidi lost her life,” she said.

“Heidi was funny, smart and fiercely loyal to all that she loved.

“She was someone no matter what was happening in her life she would again and again help you first and that’s where a lot of her troubles stemmed from.”

The Chronicle understands Heidi was released from detention on Friday and her family were working to bring her to Tasmania so she could get away from “bad influences” in Toowoomba.

“Despite wanting her to be immediately able to move to Tasmania with her parents and family where she could be supported and stable to rehabilitate she was instructed to stay in Queensland, a place that held many traumatic memories and triggers,” Tamika said.

“The justice system failed our girl and they’ve chosen the wrong family.

“There was not a single person who worked with Heidi who could have denied that living back with family in Tasmania would be her best chance of regaining her life; however the law prevented this option, many times.”

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.

It is understood Heidi was travelling in an alleged stolen Commodore sedan about 12am on July 14 when it crossed onto the wrong side of Hursley Rd while speeding.

The vehicle has then collided with two large trees and a concrete bench.

A witness said after the crash a young man began screaming “she’s dead, she’s dead”.

After crashing into a tree the car continued to careen a further 30m down Hursley Rd, and came to rest in the centre of the street.

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

Sadly, Heidi died at the scene while a man aged in his 20s suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition.

On her GoFundMe page Tamika said her family was gathering from across the country to grieve together.

“Our hearts are shattered, we have no words, our beautiful girl, the one who made our family whole is gone,” she said.

“There is no bringing her back so we want to give her the send-off she deserves.

“We are trying to raise funds to make our way back to QLD from Tasmania ASAP.”

Click here to support the GoFundMe.

Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP said the community was reeling from another tragic death of a teenager.

“My heart goes out to her family,” he said.

“The scene of the crash was terribly confronting for emergency services personnel.

“The government must be doing more to stop this carnage.

“Toowoomba’s car theft epidemic is a risk not just to the children who are stealing and riding in these vehicles, but also to police and the community.”