Man Charged After Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash Near Caloundra

A 52-year-old man from Rosemount has been charged in connection with a crash that resulted in the death of a three-year-old girl and critical injuries to her one-year-old sister.

The man is scheduled to appear at the Caloundra Magistrates Court on April 23. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the incident.

Details of the Incident

The crash occurred at an intersection in Banya, outside Caloundra, on January 8. According to police, the 52-year-old man was driving a Mitsubishi Fuso truck that struck three other vehicles. The incident took place outside a construction site.

Outcome and Injuries

The occupants of one of the struck vehicles included two young children:

• Ineza King, aged 3, a rear passenger, sustained critical injuries. She was airlifted to the Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane and died one week after the crash.
• Itahe King, aged 1, Ineza's sister and also a rear passenger, sustained critical injuries. She was also airlifted to the Queensland Children's Hospital and remains in a critical condition.

Five other people involved in the crash were transported to a hospital on the Sunshine Coast. All were reported to be in stable condition.

Legal Proceedings and Charge

The 52-year-old man has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while a relevant drug is present. Police have stated that this charge is legally distinct from, and considered less serious than, the offence of driving while under the influence of drugs.

If found guilty, the maximum penalties for the charge include:

• A driver's licence disqualification of up to nine months.
• A fine of up to $1,706.
• A prison sentence of up to three months.

Statements from Family and Community

Following Ineza King's death, her parents released a statement. They described their daughter as "full of life and energy" and noted that her name means kindness. The statement said she loved her family, friends, outdoor adventures, and bedtime stories, and that her favorite saying was "sharing is caring."

An online fundraiser was established to support the family. It received nearly $26,000 in donations. The fundraiser described Ineza as a child who "thrived at day care, made friends easily and seemed to draw people to her naturally."