Three recent motor vehicle incidents have occurred in the last two days, one fatal, which should be a warning to all drivers to be vigilant whilst driving on the road.

On the evening of Monday 15 February it was reported by Sergeant Damien Meadows of Port Douglas Police that a motor vehicle incident occurred in Port Douglas.

“The driver of the motor vehicle failed to negotiate the corner of Macrosson and Davidson Street, mounted a kerb and landed in the garden bed,” said Sgt Meadows.

A 30 year old male is assisting police with their investigations.

Another motor vehicle incident reported occurred in the afternoon of Tuesday 16th February, on the corner of Marlin Drive and Captain Cook Highway in Wonga.

It was reported as a single vehicle traffic incident, whereby the male driver may have suffered from a medical condition.

“The driver returned a negative breath test, which indicated there was no alcohol involved.

“Shortly before the incident it was reported that a driver was driving erratically.  During further investigations, this was supported by a witness to the traffic incident. It would appear the driver suffered from a medical condition,” said Sgt Meadows.

The driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A fatal incident occurred in Cairns on Monday 15th February at around 4:30am in the driveway of the Cairns district police building.

It was reported a 37 year old Longreach butcher Ryan Savage, who had been visiting Cairns, had been lying in the driveway. Assistant Police Commission Paul Taylor has been stood aside after the incident, as the driver of the vehicle killing the victim.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said it took paramedics considerable time to extract the victim from under the vehicle with the assistance of firefighters.

A senior officer from Longreach visited the man’s family and will remain in contact with them throughout the investigation.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said his thoughts and condolences are with the man’s family and that police will provide them, and Assistant Commissioner Taylor, with the support needed during what he describes as a ‘terrible tragedy on many levels’.

Commissioner Stewart said a thorough and impartial investigation would be conducted with police from Brisbane sent to Cairns to conduct the investigation.

“I have sent specialists in traffic crash analysis, scene processing and of course investigators from the Ethical Standards Command to conduct this investigation.

“It is important that the public have confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the investigation which is why police from Brisbane have been sent. It is also why Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor has been stood aside,” Commissioner Stewart said.

Forensic Crash investigators, along with Scenes of Crime officers and investigators from the Ethical Standards Command have travelled from Brisbane to Cairns and are currently investigating the incident.

The Crime and Corruption Commission and the State Coroner have also been notified.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 orcrimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.