Victim from truck crash on wrong side named
An innocent driver who was killed when a truck crashed into him on the wrong side of the highway has been named.
Source: Qld Police
Andre Roberts, 26, was named in media as the victim whose car erupted in a ball of flames on the Bruce Highway, north of Brisbane.
Roberts’ girlfriend Phoebe Burns paid tribute to her soulmate, who she said had a contagious laugh.
“Fly high my beautiful boy, life will not be the same without you. Meeting you was the best thing that happened to me and everyone in your life,” she said.
“Your life will not be forgotten, I will make sure you live on through me.
“Your smile and laugh were contagious, your beautiful brown curly hair (as much as you hated hearing it), the way you could always make me laugh even if I didn’t want to you were my best friend and my soulmate Andre.
“Words truly can’t describe what you mean to me and how much my heart aches.
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“The world has truly lost someone so special, you didn’t deserve to leave just yet, until we meet again my love.”
Andre Roberts was killed while driving home from work. Photo: Supplied
Police said dashcam footage of the crash indicated the truck was travelling on the wrong side of the highway at “excessive speed” for about a kilometre.
On Thursday, police said the truck was being followed by a group of vehicles. One of them moved with it onto the wrong side of the road, driving south in the northbound lanes.
The vehicle following the truck kept travelling southbound down the highway’s northbound lane after the crash.
The 46-year-old truck driver was taken to hospital in a critical condition after the crash forced the highway’s busy northbound lanes to be shut for hours.
Detective Inspector David Harbison said on Thursday that those following the truck were victims of property crime and apparently believed the vehicle was casing their area.
“My understanding is a number of these businesses have been involved or have been subject to various property crimes in the last few weeks,” he said.
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“There was no break-in on that night. My information is that that truck was circulating in that area, and very quickly, whispers got out that this truck was perhaps casing premises or involved in property crime.
“Phone calls were made between concerned parties to come and look after their own properties.”
Police have not been able to interview the truck driver, who remains in a life-threatening condition.
He had suffered multiple injuries that left a “dynamic and horrible crime scene” for first responders, Harbison said.
“A young man has lost his life in horrible circumstances,” he said.
“This should not have happened. Our hearts go out to the family and condolences to the family.”
It was amazing no one else was harmed, Harbison said.
“I think we all know the dangers associated with going down the wrong side of the Bruce Highway any time of the day or night,” he said.
Harbison said anyone with information should contact police, noting many had been commenting about the crash on social media.
“If you have real evidence and dashcam please come forward, don’t just comment on Facebook and social media,” he said.
-with AAP
