A 30-year-old truck driver has been charged following a crash that killed a mother and her 13-year-old son on the Bruce Highway near Gladstone. The incident occurred around 11pm on Tuesday when a family of four in a ute slowed down behind a car carrying a wide load. The truck crashed into the ute, pushing it into the other vehicle.
The 40-year-old mother and her son died at the scene. The 42-year-old father and a 15-year-old boy were taken to Rockhampton Base Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Acting Inspector Ben Wiltshire described the crash as having 'torn one family apart and traumatised numerous others.'
The truck driver has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm. He is due to appear in court next month.
The Bruce Highway has been the site of numerous crashes this year, prompting the Queensland government to commit to improvements. Premier David Crisafulli expressed sympathy for the families and stressed the need for better road safety, stating, 'We have to do more on the Bruce.'
