Moving vigil held for couple and unborn child killed by allegedly stolen car
A moving vigil has been held for the Brisbane couple and their unborn child who were struck and killed by an allegedly stolen Landcruiser while they were walking their dogs.
Family and friends of Kate Leadbetter, 31, and Matthew Field, 37, were surrounded by dozens of strangers who wanted to pay tribute to the young parents-to-be following the tragedy on Australia Day.
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field were crossing Finucane Road in Alexandra Hills when they were hit by the vehicle, which had collided with a truck and before rolling and ploughing into them.
The teenager charged with the couple’s murder could also be charged over the death of their unborn child.
The 17-year-old from Logan, who cannot be identified, 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.
Police allege the 17-year-old boy ran a red light and collided with a truck at an intersection before the 4WD rolled and crashed into the couple who were crossing the road.
They both died at the scene on 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.
"Here's two people going about their business innocently on Australia Day, walking their dogs, they should be entitled to do that," Mr Codd said.
"To have them ripped away from their families is an absolute tragedy, and I can assure you it's impacted very heavily on the first responders and witnesses who faced that."
A Facebook post on a Queensland lost pets page issued an urgent call to help locate the couple's dog, Frankie, that reportedly ran from the crash scene.
It's understood Frankie has now been found and a GoFundMe campaign as been started to pay for the dog's medication as she suffers from Addison's disease.
It will be alleged the boy deliberately collided with another car at the same intersection shortly before the couple were killed.
Police believe the Landcruiser was stolen from a home in Cleveland earlier that afternoon.
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.
Outside court, the teen's lawyer Patrick Horgan said it had been a "very traumatic experience for everyone involved" and declined to comment further.
Mr Horgan strongly objected to media applications to be present as the matter was heard, saying it could be prejudicial to the teen's right to a fair trial.
His objection was overruled by magistrate Rosemary Gilbert.
"They are charges which are of an extremely serious nature," she said.
"There is in my view good reason to allow the reporting of he proceedings today."
The teen has been remanded to reappear by videolink in March.
On Wednesday evening dozens of people gathered near the crash site and laid flowers in tribute to Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field.
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