Dramatic police bodycam vision has been released showing the moment officers confronted a man accused of causing a fatal six-car crash and shooting another motorist during a 40-minute reign of terror.
Bradley Donald Towle, a 41-year-old from Tewantin, who is now under police guard in hospital, has been charged with 15 offences following shooting and armed robbery incidents in the Queensland suburbs of Palmview and Landsborough on Monday afternoon.
He was allegedly behind the wheel of a red Porsche Macan about 12.10pm when he caused a six-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway in Palmview.
Police say Mr Towle lost control of the vehicle and struck the passenger side of a Nissan Micra.
Jocelyn Grace Mollee, a 22-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt woman, who was a passenger in the Micra, later died of injuries sustained in the crash, while the driver, a 22-year-old Strathpine man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
After the crash, Mr Towle emerged from his wrecked vehicle and, allegedly armed with a gun, approached a white SsangYong Rexton.
Police say the driver of the Rexton, a 62-year-old Branyan man, who had stopped to help people involved in the crash, was confronted by Mr Towle and shot in the arm and drove off in the vehicle.
The 62-year-old was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Police located the crashed stolen Rexton on Steve Irwin Way, Landsborough around 12.35pm.
It is alleged that Mr Towle was still armed when he stole another vehicle, a grey Mazda 3, from a terrified 16-year-old learner driver who was in the middle of a lesson with her parents. All managed to flee without being injured.
Officers arrested him around 12.48pm at the intersection of Steve Irwin Way and Forestry Road, Landsborough and recovered the firearm inside the vehicle.
Mr Towle sustained injuries to his head and body in the crashes and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he remains under police guard.
Identical twins Bridgette and Paula Powers who, along with their mother, were caught up in the frightening events, recounted the moment they fled from Mr Towle after he emerged from the wreckage of one of the crashed cars allegedly holding a gun.
“The one guy, he was up there with our mum. And he went up there, and he was coming back down towards us,” they told a 7NEWS reporter in unison.
“And he goes, ‘Run, he’s got a gun’.”
“And oh, our heart started to pound and I said, ‘Mum, where’s Mum?’
They said their mother approached the driver, who appeared agitated in response to their advances.
“But poor Mum was stuck up there. But apparently our brave mum, she goes, ‘Are you alright?’ Because he had blood all over his face”,” they said.
“And he goes, ‘I’ll shoot you.’”
They said their mother remarked, “’Hey, I’m here to help’”.
“And Mum distracted him to make him look the other way. And he looked the other way, and Mum ran into the bush behind the fence.
“And the guy goes to her, ‘I’ll find you and I’ll shoot you’.
Mr Towle has been charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offence, and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, going armed as to cause fear, unlawful possession of firearm used to commit indictable offence, possess tainted property, authority required to possess explosives, driver fail to remain at incident, and driving suspended licence.
He is expected to appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police have urged any witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam vision to come forward.
Police have urged anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at crimestoppersqld.com.au.
