Yahoo Finance ‘Outraged’: Family of pregnant woman killed in horrific crash speak out
A relative of the couple allegedly killed by an intoxicated 17-year-old driving a stolen car while walking their dog has revealed her outrage following the tragedy on Australia Day.
Kate Leadbetter, 31, and Matthew Field, 37, were crossing Finucane Road in Alexandra Hills, southeast of Brisbane, when they were hit by the vehicle, which had collided with a truck before rolling and ploughing into them.
The 17-year-old was charged with two counts of murder as well as offences relating to dangerous driving while under the influence of an intoxicant and burglary
The teenager could also be charged over the death of Ms Leadbetter’s unborn child.
Danielle Leadbetter, the aunt of the pregnant woman, addressed reporters at the scene on Wednesday, explaining that she was “outraged” when she heard of the incident.
“When I heard it this morning, before I even knew it was a family member, I was just outraged,” she said.
“I have three male sons who are all driving on the roads, that could have very easily been my son that was killed.
“This could very easily be me burying my child, instead, it’s my brother in law burying his child. No parent should have to bury their child.”
She remembered Kate as a “beautiful, happy, loving young girl” who was one of few people in the family to enjoy dipping McDonald’s chips into ice cream sundaes.
Heartbreaking vigil held for killed couple
A vigil was held for the Brisbane couple and their unborn child on Wednesday, with dozens of strangers joining family and friends at the site of the crash.
The 17-year-old from Logan, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, did not appear as the matter was mentioned briefly in the Children's Court on Wednesday and he was remanded in custody.
Police are waiting for confirmation of Ms Leadbetter's pregnancy and Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said there was provision for offences relating to the killing of unborn children.
“That is certainly something we'll be considering as part of the ongoing investigation,” he said.
It will be alleged the boy deliberately collided with another car at the same intersection shortly before the couple were killed.
Police believe the 4WD Landcruiser he was driving was stolen from a home in Cleveland earlier that afternoon.
The couple both died at the scene and it's alleged the teen fled before stealing a set of keys from a nearby house. He was then arrested by police after being disturbed by the resident.
The couple’s dog Frankie was found after a wide-scale community search, with a GoFundMe campaign established to pay for her medication as she suffers from Addison's disease
The teen has been remanded in custody to reappear by video link in March.
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