Margate Parade, Queensland: Family pays tribute as 17-year-old Olivia killed in alleged hit-and-run

A 17-year-old Queensland girl described by her family as a “beautiful and gentle soul” has been killed in an alleged hit-and-run in Margate, just a month before her 18th birthday.

Police were called to Margate Parade shortly after 11.27pm on Monday after reports a white Nissan Navara ute had struck a pedestrian. Officers allege the driver did not stop and failed to render assistance.

The Boondall teenager, identified only as Olivia, was found with severe injuries and died at the scene. Detectives from the Redcliffe Child Protection Unit began investigating immediately, alleging the ute involved had travelled northbound before leaving the area.

Police located the vehicle at a Scarborough home about 10.30am on Tuesday.

A 58-year-old Scarborough man was arrested soon after and charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and leaving the scene of an incident without obtaining help. He was refused police bail and is scheduled to appear in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

In a statement, Olivia’s family said she had been weeks away from turning 18, remembering her as a creative, tender-hearted teenager who loved art, Lana Del Rey and the colour pink. They said she was so devoted to her dog that she began buying toys for him before she even knew she was getting one.

“She cared deeply about everyone around her,” the family said.

“She had a way of ensuring everyone she crossed paths felt cared for and understood.”

Her family said Olivia could sense when someone was struggling and would stay beside them “as long as you needed” until she was certain they were okay.

“She didn’t realise how loved she was by everyone around her, she never fully realised how beautiful she truly was and never realised how much she touched the people around her,” they wrote.

“She always wanted to be like her sisters, but she never understood that it was them who wanted to be like her.”

Her loved ones said she had faced “more challenges in the last two years than most people realise”, carrying a heavy emotional load despite her young age.

“The world had been heavy and unkind to such a tender-hearted soul however, she always tried her best to get through it and her resilience became a quiet rhythm in her life, a way for her to remind herself to never give up,” they said.

“Just as Olivia was getting better, getting her light back, she was taken from us far too soon. She was only 17, a month away from her 18th birthday.

“She was a much loved daughter and sister and will be missed truly.”

Police are urging anyone with dashcam, CCTV or further information to contact investigators as the case continues.