Fatal Crash Involving Stolen Utility

A 25-year-old woman has died and four people were injured after a five-vehicle crash involving a stolen utility at Smithfield in far north Queensland on August 5, Queensland Police said.

Police were called to the Smithfield Bypass at about 1:25 p.m. Initial investigations indicate a stolen Toyota LandCruiser utility travelling south collided with a Toyota RAV4 and a Subaru Impreza travelling north. The RAV4 driver, a Kewarra Beach woman, died at the scene. Four other people were taken to Cairns Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said a 36-year-old man entered another vehicle shortly after the crash and forced its driver to take him from the scene. The driver was not physically injured. Officers arrested the man on Reservoir Road at about 2:15 p.m., and he was taken to Cairns Hospital, where he remains under police guard.

The Forensic Crash Unit and Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch are investigating. Police are seeking witnesses, relevant information and vision, including dashcam footage. Information can be provided to Policelink or Crime Stoppers with reference number QP2601515138.