Queensland Teen Could Face Third Murder Charge Over Crash That Killed Soon-To-Be Parents

A Queensland teenager could have an additional murder charge added after a horror crash killed two soon-to-be parents.

Kate Leadbetter, 31, was six months pregnant with her partner Matty Field's, 37, child when they were suddenly struck and killed by a vehicle as they walked their dogs.

Emergency services were called to the three-vehicle collision around 5.30 pm on Tuesday (January 26) on Finucane Rd, near Vienna Rd at Alexandra Hills.

Police allege a 17-year-old was driving the stolen Landcruiser 4WD when he went through a red light and ploughed into a truck, resulting in the death of the pair and their unborn child on the scene.

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The alleged driver of the stolen vehicle was arrested a short time later after. He's accused of attempting to flee the scene of the crash and police say he stole a set of car keys and tried to start a nearby car.

The teen cannot be named for legal reasons has been charged with the murder of Kate and Matty, along with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and two counts of burglary.

But police aren't ruling out slapping him with an additional charge.

Queensland Police Commissioner Brian Codd said he waiting to hear back from medical professionals about Kate's pregnancy.

"The terrible tragedy that I'm talking about has resulted in two, and potentially three, innocent lives being lost," Codd told reporters.

"At this point, we're awaiting the confirmation of the pregnancy.

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"There is a provision under the Criminal Code for offences relating to the killing of unborn children and it is certainly something that we'll be considering as part of the ongoing investigation."

The 17-year-old appeared in court for the first time yesterday (Wednesday January 27) at the Brisbane Children's Court. He's been remanded in custody and will reappear on March 24.

The teen was apprehended shortly after the crash by a quick thinking onlooker.

"I saw him walking across the lawn, acted like I was going to run him over, stopped, jumped out," the resident said.

"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."

A vigil was held overnight at the scene of the crash, with many people laying flowers where Kate and Matty died.

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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