Two fatal head-on collisions on Brisbane motorways within 24 hours have been described as tragic and horrendous by police. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating both accidents, with drugs and alcohol the focus at this stage.
A 61-year-old male passenger from Maroochydore was killed after a ute rammed into the Hyundai he was travelling in on the Gateway Motorway overnight. Police allege a 29-year-old man drove onto the wrong side of the northbound lanes near the Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road exit at Rochedale just after 4:00am. His ute allegedly hit the small hatchback head-on at about 100 kilometres per hour.
Acting Inspector Alicia Coyne described the scene as horrible, with debris spread across 80 metres and both cars significantly damaged. The ute driver, from Loganholme, escaped with minor injuries and has been released from hospital. The 62-year-old female partner of the dead man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
In eerily similar circumstances, a 32-year-old woman passenger was killed on Friday night in a high-impact head-on crash on the Pacific Motorway, south of Brisbane. The two drivers survived but with significant injuries. No charges have been laid, and police have yet to interview the male driver.
Inspector Coyne said it was a miracle anyone survived both crashes on what was one of the worst weekends on South East Queensland roads for some time. The road toll stands at 97, exactly the same as this time last year.
