More charges flagged for teen driver after coupleâs Australia Day deaths
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A teenager charged with two counts of murder after allegedly running a red light in a stolen 4WD and killing a Brisbane bayside couple could face further charges over the death of their unborn child.
About 150 locals gathered at the scene, at the corner of Vienna and Finucane roads in Alexandra Hills, on Wednesday night to pay tribute to Katherine Leadbetter, 31, and Matthew Field, 37, whose deaths on Australia Day left friends and family âabsolutely heartbrokenâ.
The 17-year-old male accused of being behind the wheel of the Toyota Landcruiser, allegedly stolen from a Cleveland home, had clipped another vehicle, causing the 4WD to roll before it struck the couple, who were walking their dogs at the time.
11:28 EDT, 27 January 2021
The shattered aunt of a pregnant woman who was killed with her partner in a horror car crash has demanded tougher laws be imposed on young offenders - as it s understood the teenage driver allegedly behind the wheel was on bail at the time.
Kate Leadbetter, 31, and her boyfriend Matthew Field, 37, were about to become parents for the first time before a 17-year-old boy - allegedly driving a stolen Toyota 4WD - smashed into them in Alexandra Hills, in Brisbane, on Australia Day.
The couple had been taking their dogs out for a walk at 5.30pm on Tuesday when they were both struck by the vehicle.
Relatives of Katherine Leadbetter and Matthew Field praise Alexandra Hills community kindness at candlelight vigil
By Nibir Khan, Talissa Siganto and staff
Posted
WedWednesday 27
updated
ThuThursday 28
JanJanuary 2021 at 12:16am
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Family members of Katherine Leadbetter and Matthew Field have paid tribute at a candlelight vigil to the beautiful representation of the local community as they honour the couple who was hit and killed by a car in Alexandra Hills, east of Brisbane.
More than 50 people, including friends, family and local police, gathered about 6:00pm yesterday near the intersection of Vienna and Finucane roads, where the fatal crash happened.
A vigil for a couple fatally struck by a stolen car in Brisbane. - AAP
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A teenager charged with murder after a couple was struck and killed by an allegedly stolen Landcruiser in Brisbane could also be charged over the death of an unborn child.
The 17-year-old from Logan, who cannot be identified, did not appear as the matter was mentioned briefly in the Children s Court on Wednesday and he was remanded in custody.
Family were left devastated after Brisbane couple Kate Leadbetter, 31, and Matthew Field, 37, were killed while walking their dogs on Australia Day.
Police are waiting for confirmation of Ms Leadbetter s pregnancy and Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said there was provision for offences relating to the killing of unborn children.
Residents of Brisbane s bayside are being asked to help find a missing dog, who ran off after her owners were killed by an allegedly stolen car on Tuesday afternoon. A 31-year-old woman, who was reportedly six months pregnant, and 37-year-old man were walking their dogs in Alexandra Hills when a LandCruiser, driven by a 17-year-old, allegedly hit a truck and rolled, hitting the two pedestrians. Police allege the teen ran from the intersection of Vienna and Finucane roads before he was arrested by police and charged with a string of offences, including two counts of murder. One of the couple s dogs, Frankie, was still missing on Wednesday morning, prompting a local councillor to ask her constituents to keep an eye out for the animal, who she said requires medication and could be injured.