Toowoomba CBD road rage incident played out in city court

The two sets of protagonists came together at the corner of Herries and Neil Sts during peak hour one morning.

The father and daughter have pleaded not guilty to assault charges arising from the road rage incident.

Road rage between a father and daughter against a mother and daughter at a Toowoomba CBD intersection is at the centre of a jury trial before the city’s District Court.

Crown prosecutor Alysha Ballantyne, opening the prosecution case, told the jury that Alarna Skye Woods, 29, and her father Jerred Thomas Woods, 47, had been driving east on Herries St in morning peak hour traffic on February 19, last year.

Alarna Woods, who was driving, pulled in behind the car driven by Haley Potter, 39, and her 17-year-old daughter Niah Kingi who were stopped at the Neil St traffic lights about to turn right.

Haley and Niah had the rear window of the car down as their dog was on the back seat.

It was the Crown case that Alarna got out of her car and walked up to the front car, yelling and swearing, prompting Hayley to lock all doors.

After trying to open the door, Alarna had reached in through the open window and punched Haley to the back of the head, she said.

Niah had then alighted from their car and she and Alarna had scuffled.

It was the Crown case that Alarna punched Niah multiple times and punched and kicked her when Niah fell to the ground, Ms Ballantyne said.

When Haley got out of the car and yelled at Alarna to get off her daughter, Jerred Woods is accused of getting out of his car and yelling to his daughter to “get her, bash her”.

It is then alleged Haley grabbed Alarna by the hair to pull her back, prompting Jerred to step in and grab Haley by the throat, she said.

Ms Ballantyne said Alarna reached into the car but denied punching.

She admitted to the scuffle with Niah but claimed she acted in self defence, she said.

Jerred told police the other car had been driving slow and “cheeky” and the occupants had been “carrying on like idiots” and said he grabbed Haley to break up the fight.

Jerred and Alarna have pleaded not guilty to assault charges including assault occasioning bodily harm.

The trial before Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren will continue on Monday.