A couple and their unborn child tragically died after they were hit by a stolen car being driven by a 17-year-old boy.
31-year-old Kate Leadbetter and her partner 37-year-old Matty Fields were walking their dogs out when the tragic incident happened.
According to police, the teen was driving the stolen Landcruiser 4WD when he drove through a red light and crashed into a truck, resulting in the death of the couple and their unborn baby.
A local resident who witnessed the horrific crash restrained the teen until police officers arrived.
“I saw him walking across the lawn, acted like I was going to run him over, stopped, jumped out,” the resident recalled.
“Got him on to the ground. He went to get up so I give him a kick or two, put him on his face and held him until the police arrived.”
The 17-year-old was charged with one count of dangerous operation of a car, one count each of attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and two counts of murder.
Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said: “The terrible tragedy that I’m talking about has resulted in two and potentially three innocent lives being lost.
“Despite the incredible efforts of witnesses and later Queensland Ambulance Service, both pedestrians died at the scene.
“Tragically, and from advice from the family and the QAS, we understand that Katherine was pregnant.”
Codd added: “The family are devastated. Here were two people going about their business innocently, walking their dog on Australia Day.
“They should be entitled to do that. To have them ripped away from their families is an absolute tragedy … It shouldn’t happen.”
Queensland Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Stream said: “Our thoughts are with their friends and family and in fact, even the local community where the accident occurred.
“Something that we know was absolutely avoidable and is a horrible situation.”
The couple’s dog had been located and found alive in bushland nearby.
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