Garbutt stolen car crash: Youth driver charged for role in alleged traffic smash

Townsville police have captured a boy who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle involved in a high-profile smash. DETAILS>>

Photographs taken on a mobile phone in the aftermath of the accident involving an allegedly stolen vehicle and a family car on the intersection of Chandler Street and Douglas Street in Garbutt, Townsville at 6.10pm on July 14. Picture: Supplied

Townsville police have captured a boy who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle involved in a high-profile wreck that left five innocent members of the same family injured more than two weeks ago.

Queensland Police Service confirmed on Thursday that a 15-year-old youth had been charged with a raft of criminal offences following the serious traffic crash involving a stolen Toyota HiLux on the intersection of Chandler and Douglas streets in Garbutt on July 14.

Local residents were praised at the time for their actions in capturing one of the occupants of the HiLux and coming to the aid of the stricken family in a Mitsubishi Outlander.

Members of the family included a husband and wife, two children who had just finished soccer practice and a grandmother visiting Townsville from abroad.

A passenger of the allegedly stolen vehicle, a 21-year-old Bushland Beach woman, 21, was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Photographs taken on a mobile phone in the aftermath of the accident involving an allegedly stolen vehicle and a family car on the intersection of Chandler Street and Douglas Street in Townsville at 6.10pm on July 14. Picture: Supplied

Police will allege the Kirwan boy was driving the HiLux “involved in the crash and fled the scene following the incident”.

He was arrested in Garbutt on Tuesday.

A QPS spokesperson said he had been charged with four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts each of entering a premises with intent and unlicensed driving.

He was also charged with burglary, entering a premises and committing an indictable offence, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, wearing a mask with intent to commit an indictable offence and obstructing police.

The boy was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in Townsville Children’s Court on August 7.

Three injured in nasty four-vehicle smash on Bruce Highway

The two car crash at Clement inland from Toomulla Beach at 7.03pm also severed traffic for up to an hour. Picture: Cameron Bates

Three people were injured after a serious accident involving four vehicles on the Bruce Highway north of Townsville on Wednesday night.

The multi-vehicle crash at Clemant, inland from Toomulla Beach, at 7.03pm also severed traffic for up to an hour.

According to the Queensland Ambulance Service, three people were taken to Townsville University Hospital in stable conditions.

A QAS spokesman said a female in her 30s had suffered minor facial injuries, while a female in her 30s and a male in his 20s had also suffered minor injuries.

Queensland Police Service confirmed it was investigating the traffic crash on the Bruce Highway.

“Around 7pm, a traffic crash occurred involving four vehicles at Clemant (just south of Toomulla Beach Rd),” a QPS spokeswoman said.

“Investigations are continuing, anyone with information is urged to come forward.”

There were reports of a heavy police presence in the area following the accident, with one person caught up in traffic reporting that it appeared a search was underway for an occupant or occupants of at least one of the vehicles.

Originally published as Garbutt stolen car crash: Youth driver charged for role in alleged traffic smash