Charges laid over alleged hit-run death

WEIPA



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 - Police release CCTV footage of victim's final moments


POLICE have charged a 25-year-old man in relation to the fatal hit and run in Weipa.

Detective Acting Inspector Rob Campbell said the family of Michael Bowden could ‘move onto another phase of their grieving’ after the arrest.

Police will allege the driver was under the influence of drugs when he struck the 20-year-old on Northern Avenue as he was walking home from a party on June 9.

The man, also from the Weipa area, will face court next month on charges of driving without due care, failing to remain at an incident, driving between 11pm-5pm without a certificate of exemption and driving while under the influence of liquor or drugs.

He was not served a dangerous driving causing death charge. Act Det Insp Campbell said it was possible the charges could be upgraded.

“There are a number of circumstances and evidentiary points that we have to prove to get to that point, and at this stage we are not satisfied that we are at that level,” he said.

“The investigation hasn’t finalised just because we’ve laid a notice to appear on someone. We’ll continue to investigate and look at all of the aspects for a prosecution not only on the charges that we’ve laid, but also on potentially anything else that might come from the evidence.

“It’s still in the realms of possibility that there could be other charges laid.”

It was also revealed the driver was carrying a passenger at the time of the fatal incident, who has not been charged.

CCTV footage was pivotal in locating the suspect. Police will allege he was aware he’d made contact with the victim before fleeing.


“A lot of hours been put into the investigation and that has led to the success we’ve got now,” Act Det Insp Campbell said.

“We’ve been in contact with the family this morning, they are very relieved that the matter has been resolved.

“They can now move onto another phase of their grieving process through a funeral and other activities with their family.”

A court date was set for July 17.

 

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