Truck Driver Faces Drug Driving Charge Over Fatal Sunshine Coast Collision
A truck driver has been charged with drug driving following a devastating crash on the Sunshine Coast that resulted in the death of a three-year-old girl and left her one-year-old sister with serious injuries. Police allege that Alan Richard Knoblock, 52, from Rosemount, had illicit substances in his system at the time of the incident.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The collision occurred in early January at Banya near Caloundra, when the Mitsubishi Fuso truck collided with three vehicles across two intersections, injuring seven people in total. Investigators report that the truck first struck the rear of a silver Nissan Qashqai on Banya Avenue near Bruny Street, forcing it into a fence, before continuing and crashing into a blue Haval that was stopped in traffic at the intersection with Great Keppel Way.
Inside the Haval were sisters Ineza King, aged 3, and Itahe King, aged 1, who were travelling with their 37-year-old mother. Ineza King sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Queensland Children’s Hospital, where she tragically passed away nearly a week later. Her younger sister, Itahe, also suffered serious injuries from the crash.
Community Response and Support
The incident sent shockwaves through the local community, with off-duty doctor Marcio Brussius Coelho recalling hearing the collision and rushing to provide first aid to Ineza until emergency services arrived. "Quite, I’d say, emotional as a father and having kids that age as well," Coelho told 7NEWS. "But at the moment, you just have to do what you need to as a doctor."
In the aftermath, a GoFundMe campaign was established for the King family, raising over $25,000 as of Friday to support them during this difficult time.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Knoblock has been charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle while a relevant drug is present, which is considered a less serious offence than driving under the influence of drugs. If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of three months in prison. He is scheduled to appear in Caloundra court later this month.
The forensic crash unit has confirmed that investigations into the crash are still ongoing, as authorities work to gather all relevant evidence and ensure justice is served.
