Yatala: Heartbreaking details as three-year-old killed in suspected domestic violence car crash

A three-year-old boy who died in a suspected domestic violence-related car crash south of Brisbane has been identified, as relatives reveal he was a little “firecracker”.

The boy passed away in the foyer of Beenleigh police station over the weekend after being involved in a shocking crash with family members. Police are currently investigating whether domestic violence played a role in the incident.

The boy’s father is in custody facing related charges, including breach of bail.

Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Mooney said additional charges may be considered as investigations continue. “That’s not off the table, that’s definitely what we are investigating, we’re just trying to determine the exact circumstances to what led the vehicle veering off the road,” he said.

Speaking to The Courier-Mail, the boy’s great-grandmother said he was looking forward to Halloween.

“He was looking forward to Halloween. He was going as a vampire, he was so excited,” she said.

“He was a firecracker who loved life. I just can’t believe it. I hope no family ever has to go through this.”

The boy’s great-grandfather told the Daily Mail “‘We are leaving it all up to the police. We do not want to jeopardise the case,” and said it was still “very raw”.

Investigators say the boy, his mother, and another person drove from their Gold Coast home to Beenleigh early Saturday morning before the crash occurred.

The woman’s Mazda was seen departing their Beenleigh address around 4.50am, crashing about 10 minutes later in bushland off Burnside Road in Yatala.

Police report the boy’s 24-year-old father was also in the car before allegedly leaving the scene with the other passenger. A witness at the crash site drove the injured boy and his mother straight to Beenleigh police station, where officers attempted CPR but the child died in the foyer.

The boy’s father and the other person were later located at a Beenleigh address, one of four separate crime scenes set up on Saturday.

Supt. Mooney said the boy’s parents had separated about 12 months ago.

Police are investigating whether the crash was deliberate and whether an argument occurred between the boy’s parents prior to the collision.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the boy’s death as a tragedy. “My reflection on that incident is how traumatic that is for every single individual, for the family in the car, for the first responders who are there, for the people who drove past, for every Queenslander who wants to see vulnerable people protected,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“They’re the kinds of incidents that rock at the core of the State, and those kinds of things will never be OK.”

A GoFundMe campaign for the boy’s mother has raised thousands of dollars, with the organiser describing her pain as “a mother’s worst nightmare.”

Any witnesses to the crash, especially those with dashcam footage, are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Policelink on 131 444.

The boy’s father remains in custody and is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.