Motorway closed in both directions for four hours

A 34-year-old Noosa Heads man has been charged following a serious three-vehicle crash on the Sunshine Motorway at Coolum Beach on the morning of Friday, October 30.

Initial enquiries by the Forensic Crash Unit indicated that just before 6.50 am, a blue Volkswagen Tiguan was travelling north on the Sunshine Motorway when it entered the southbound lane and hit the side of a grey Subaru Impreza, before crashing head-on into a grey Skoda Kodiaq.

The Volkswagen briefly caught fire as a result of the crash, with the fire extinguished by the time police and emergency crews arrived on the scene. It is also alleged the vehicle was bearing incorrect licence plates.

The driver of the Skoda, a 48-year-old Peregian Beach man, sustained critical injuries and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for treatment, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

His passenger, a 48-year-old Peregian Beach woman, sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to hospital.

The driver of the Subaru, a 38-year-old Tewantin man, was assessed by paramedics on scene and was not physically injured.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 34-year-old Noosa Heads man, also sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

On the evening of October 30, police charged the 34-year-old Noosa Heads man with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, driving under the influence, driving without a driver licence, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle and using a vehicle for which a number plate attached was granted for another vehicle, as well as four drug offences.

The crash caused serious traffic congestion during the busy morning peak hour with the Sunshine Motorway closed in both directions from Coolum, south to the Sunshine Coast Airport turnoff slipway while emergency services and investigators attended the scene.

It reopened at about 10.30 am.

Police are continuing their investigations and are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage of the crash to come forward.

Queensland Police have reminded motorists that dangerous driving behaviours, including driving under the influence, speeding, distraction and fatigue, put everyone on the road at risk.

If you have information, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, report online or call Policelink on 131 444.

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