The family of a young mother who was fatally struck in a hit-run south of Brisbane has described the crime as “senseless and cowardly”.
Police allege Kiesha Thompson, 23, was deliberately hit by a four-wheel drive while walking home on a footpath on Allamanda Drive at Daisy Hill after dropping her daughter at daycare on Friday.
Thompson died in hospital Allahours later and Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant, 24, has since been charged with her murder.
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The young mother’s family issued a video statement today.”Kiesha Thompson was tragically taken away from us in a horrific and senseless act,” Thompson’s aunt Amanda Matthias said.”
After dropping off her baby girl at daycare, she was walking home along the footpath when she was deliberately struck by a vehicle that had been waiting for her for some time.”Despite the immediate and heroic actions of the first responders, we sadly lost Kiesha later that day.
“We are deeply grateful for those who worked tirelessly to save her and we are struggling with why anyone would commit such a cruel act.”
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Her brother, Koby Torto, said the 23-year-old worked hard to ensure her daughter had the best life possible.
“My sister had nothing short of a difficult life but in the last couple of years, she worked tirelessly to create the best life for her child who was the absolute light of her life,” Torto said.
“She was taken from us in a cowardly act.
“We can’t stress enough her daughter was the light of her life and we will support her throughout her whole life.
“The family has created an online fundraiser for Thompson’s child.
Detective Inspector Chris Knight told reporters yesterday that the 4WD vehicle, a silver Toyota Prado, was in the area for an extended period of time before the Daisy Hill crash.
“We will allege that that event was not in fact an accident, and the young lady who has tragically lost her life, was in fact targeted,” Knight said.
“For that reason, we don’t believe that it was an unfortunate, random traffic accident.”
The accused was remanded in custody after her matter was mentioned in Ipswich Magistrates Court today.
She was not able to apply for bail due to the serious nature of the charge.
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Police said they seized a damaged silver Toyota Prado at Goodna, west of Brisbane on Saturday while the 24-year-old was arrested a few suburbs away at Yamanto.
Police described the incident as far from typical but declined to comment on any relationship between the pair.
Officers are appealing for dashcam footage and asked the driver, owner or passengers on a white, unbranded bus seen in the vicinity shortly before 9am on Friday to come forward.
Sant’s matter has been adjourned to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 31.
– AAP
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