A map based on evidence from key police witnesses shows the shocking extent of a 17-year-old’s road-rage spree through the streets of Brisbane, just minutes before he ploughed into a pregnant woman and her boyfriend, leaving both dead.
The behaviour of the teenager over roughly ten minutes before the horror crash that claimed the lives of Kate Leadbetter, 31, and Matthew Field, 37, was crucial in police deciding to charge him with murder, not a lesser charge.
So too was video posted to Facebook that showed the 17-year-old allegedly showing him driving erratically.
The footage caught the teen driver – who cannot be named – abusing and gesturing towards a family at a red light, before appearing to deliberately crash into their car.
Chris and Angela Fleming had begun to film the driver after themselves having a run in with him.
Mr Fleming told Daily Mail Australia they have been told by detectives that the video is a crucial piece of evidence in the case against the teen over Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field’s deaths.
A map based on evidence from key police witnesses shows the shocking extent of a 17-year-old’s road-rage spree through the streets of Brisbane, just minutes before he ploughed into the couple
A 17-year-old (left) has been charged with two counts of murder over the horror deaths of Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field (both right) at Alexandra Hills, in suburban Brisbane, on Tuesday
The Toyota LandCruiser that the teenager was allegedly driving lies damaged at the scene of the horror crash around 5.20pm on Tuesday. Moments earlier it had allegedly been used in a road rage incident on a nearby road
‘The only reason why he’s getting charged with murder is our video,’ Mr Field said.
‘We stuck around at the scene so we could provide the video to police and we went in and spoke to detectives yesterday too.
‘They told us it is one of the most important bits of evidence because it shows his intent before the accident.’
Queensland Police confirmed that detectives had charged the teen with murder, not a lesser charge, because of a unique provision under the state’s legislation.
In Queensland, an outcome that is defined as a probable consequence of an action, can result in the individual being charged for that.
‘There is provision in certain circumstances where a criminal reckless or negligent act can result in a murder charge if a death was a foreseeable and probable consequence of that illegal act,’ Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said this week.
‘Our investigations have considered the evidence so far before them and have preferred that charge, and that will ultimately be considered by the court.’
Mr Fleming first came across the teenage driver after pulling out of the Alexandra Hills Shopping Centre and onto Cambridge Drive about 5.07pm.
Within moments a white Toyota LandCruiser had pulled up right behind him.
‘I first came across him about three minutes before we started recording,’ he said.
‘We just pulled out of Alexandra Hills shops and onto Cambridge Drive and he came screaming up behind us and tried to play with us.
‘He pulled right up to the arse end of my car, so close you couldn’t see his bullbar.
‘I didn’t want anything to do with him so he overtook us on a blind corner going over a hill crest. If there was a car coming the other way they would have both been dead then and there.’
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field were taking their dogs Frankie and Django for their usual afternoon walk when they were struck
Frankie (pictured) survived the horrific crash but fled the scene in terror immediately after. He was found by a large search party in dense bushland the next morning
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field’s dog Frankie is carried out of bushland on Wednesday morning at the end of a long search by locals, friends and family to find the dog
Mr Fleming said he and his wife were so shocked at the driver’s antics they decided to film him.
‘He pulled into a left turn only lane and was hanging outside the car window saying “Do you want to race, do you want to race?”,’ Mr Fleming said.
‘He was gesturing and calling them c***s. Then, as you see in the footage, they take off after a short pause when the light turns green.’
In the footage Mrs Fleming can be heard screaming as the Toyota 4WD drives into the side of the Hyundai i30.
While the Hyundai driver pulled over along Allenby Road, the Toyota continued on.
Minutes later as it continued to drive the streets of Alexandra Hills, police allege the driver lost control and hit a tow truck – before veering off the road and into Mr Field and Ms Leadbetter, who were taking their two dogs on their usual afternoon walk.
The teenager faced Brisbane Children’s Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody until his next appearance in early March.
The Courier Mail reports he was on bail for 50 unrelated offences at the time of the crash.
In a tragic twist of fate, friends of the pair have revealed they went on a different route to normal that day.
Locals banded together to hold a vigil at the intersection of Finucane and Vienna Road – where the couple tragically lost their lives
Loved ones console each other during the vigil for the young couple on Wednesday night
A mourner adds a bouquet of flowers to the growing floral memorial at the intersection where Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field were killed
Ms Leadbetter, 31, and Mr Field, 37, died instantly, while their dog Frankie who they had been walking, fled from the scene
Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said even the most hardened members of the force had been rocked by the tragedy.
‘We, the police department, along with our community, are hurting. Dealing with this sort of tragedy – which is preventable – is incredibly frustrating,’ he told the Today show on Thursday.
‘I’m limited by law [by what I can say]. I’m not going to compromise our investigation and prosecution.
‘The reality of it is… It’s something that does my head in.
‘I am angry. I’m angry and my people are angry. They’re frustrated and they’re heartbroken… Can you imagine going and telling a family about the loss of a loved one? It has an impact on our people but we’re providing them enormous support.’
Today host Karl Stefanovic said the story of the ‘beaming and beautiful’ expectant parents breaks his heart.
‘Just at Christmas. Holding a picture of their unborn baby. Their whole lives ahead of them,’ he said on Thursday morning after learning of the couple’s walking route.
‘But in one horrifying moment on a bayside suburban street that was ripped apart.
‘As they left home to walk their dog, we learn this morning they made a fateful decision, turning left when they would ordinarily turn right.
‘Moments later, they were struck and killed.’
Locals banded together on Wednesday night at a vigil on the corner of Finucane and Vienna Road – the intersection where the parents-to-be tragically lost their lives.
Ms Leadbetter’s aunt, Danielle Leadbetter, bravely spoke out about the horrific crash which claimed the life of her ‘beautiful’ niece.
‘No parent should have to bury their child. Ever. I feel sorry for everyone involved. The paramedics, police, the people who witnessed it. You never get over a traumatic event,’ Ms Leadbetter said.
The shattered aunt and uncle of Ms Leadbetter, Danielle and Jason Leadbetter (pictured at vigil), said they would always remember their ‘beautiful’ niece
Candles were laid around the memorial which is only expected to grow as the vigil continues on into the night
Distraught mourners turned out in droves to the vigil on Wednesday night after the beloved couple were killed in a horror crash
‘I just really would like Queensland to instead of just posting to social media, campaign for change. That is what we need. Campaign for change, campaign for justice, and let’s stop this ridiculous loss of life.
‘She was just everything that is beautiful in this world so Queenslanders posting on social media, I’m reading it, you’re angry, let’s change the laws, take this anger and challenge it into something positive so it’s not your child that you are burying one day.
‘I hope that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and our lawmakers are watching this.’
Countless bouquets of flowers and teddy bears were laid at the scene while loved ones bravely spoke out about the loss of the couple.
Distraught residents found comfort in each other’s arms as crowds turned up to honour the young couple.
Candles were laid around the memorial which is only expected to grow as the vigil continues on into the night.
A little girl was captured in a heartbreaking photo laying a bouquet of flowers at the couple’s memorial while two other distraught children were seen sitting arm-in-arm.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison offered his condolences and said his ‘heart breaks’ for the friends and families of the victims.
‘Three beautiful young lives gone in the blink of an eye. I cannot begin to imagine the grief their families are feeling,’ he wrote on Wednesday night.
Mourners were seen at the vigil late on Wednesday night to honour the couple killed
Heartbroken loved ones are seen at the tribute service held for Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field
The tribute has grown throughout the day with loved ones and residents dropping off flowers, stuffed animals and candles
Flowers, teddy bears and letters were left at the intersection where a young couple were killed on Australia Day
‘I’d like to extend my thanks and support to the first responders and witnesses to this horrific accident who fought so hard to try and save their lives.
‘Some very small comfort to hear one of the couple’s dogs, Frankie, who had run off from the scene last night was found late this morning after the local community rallied together to help find her after a plea from Kate’s family.’
Ms Leadbetter, who was six months pregnant, is understood to have been working as an interior stylist while her partner worked in fabrications.
The young couple had recently shared a photo of their baby’s ultrasound as they stood proudly in front of a Christmas tree.
Queensland Police are now investigating the potential to lay more charges against the teenager over the death of Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field’s unborn baby.
‘Here’s two people going about their business innocently on Australia Day, walking their dogs, they should be entitled to do that,’ Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said of the deaths of Mr Field and Ms Leadbetter
A young child is seen laying a bouquet of flowers at the vigil on Wednesday
The vigil started at 6pm at the intersection in Alexandra Hills as hundreds of locals paid their respects
Children are seen laying candles at the memorial for the couple in Brisbane’s east
Families lay flowers and candles at the vigil on Wednesday night. The couple were due to become parents in just three months before they were killed
‘That’s certainly something we’ll be considering as part of the ongoing investigation,’ Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Cold said on Wednesday.
‘Here’s two people going about their business innocently on Australia Day, walking their dogs, they should be entitled to do that.
‘To have them ripped away from their families is an absolute tragedy, and I can assure you it’s impacted very heavily on the first responders and witnesses who faced that.’
The 17-year-old had allegedly been driving erratically through the intersection when he ploughed into a tow truck.
His car then began to roll and moments later collided with the couple walking their two dogs.
It is understood Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field never saw the car coming.
A woman wipes away tears during a vigil held for Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field at the intersection where they were killed
Huge crowds were seen at the vigil on Wednesday night on the corner of Finucane and Vienna Road
Harrowing scenes are pictured at the memorial held on Wednesday night following the tragic deaths of a young Brisbane couple
Mr Field was killed instantly while desperate attempts from passersby were made to save his girlfriend’s life.
The 17-year-old from Waterford West was due to front Brisbane Children’s Court on Wednesday but chose not to appear.
At a hearing in his absence he was remanded in custody. The teen is understood to have been on bail for 50 unrelated offences when the crash occurred.
Outside court the teen’s lawyer Patrick Horgan said it had been a ‘very traumatic experience for everyone involved’.
A GoFundMe page was initially set up to help cover the costs of medical treatment for the couple’s dog, Frankie.
But after a local vet decided against charging to assess the animal, the funds will now go towards funerals for Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field.
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field had been dating for more than four years and were expecting their first child