A driver who allegedly rammed a ute off the road in southern Queensland after a domestic incident has been remanded in custody on a murder charge after a man died following the crash.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The victim was fighting for life after his ute was allegedly rear-ended and rolled in Kogan, west of Toowoomba, about 2am on Tuesday.
Police will allege the driver of a Nissan X-Trail twice deliberately rammed a Holden Colorado from behind on May 30, causing it to overturn.
Clinton Gordon Sutcliffe was initially charged with the dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.
Police upgraded the charge to one count of murder and two of attempted murder.
The 36-year-old Tara man was remanded in custody after a mention in the Dalby Magistrates Court on Thursday.
He is due to appear in the same court on August 1.
Three people were injured in the crash, including a 22-year-old Goranba man who was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
A 20-year-old female passenger was airlifted to Brisbane with serious injuries, while a two-year-old boy escaped with minor injuries and is being treated at the Tara hospital.
Detective Inspector Garry Watts said the accused had been in a relationship with the woman.
"This matter arose out of a domestic and family violence incident and we are examining the relationship and the occurrences that occurred as a result of this as part of our investigation," Det Insp Watts said on Thursday.
The victim and the accused were also known to one another and police had previous dealings with those involved in the fatal incident.
Police refused to confirm if the woman and child had been involved in a dispute with the accused leading up to the crash.
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Australian Associated Press
