Third Person Charged Over Fatal Crash in Allegedly Stolen Vehicle

A 22-year-old man, Mhurrigan Burns, has been charged in Far North Queensland over a fatal crash involving an allegedly stolen vehicle that killed a 12-year-old boy in June. Burns is the final surviving occupant of the car to face charges related to the incident.

The crash occurred in the Cairns suburb of Stratford when the vehicle reportedly rolled off an embankment. Police were called to the scene after 4 a.m. on June 21, following reports of the vehicle leaving the road. The 12-year-old boy, a passenger in the car, died at the scene after being ejected during the crash.

Burns faces nine charges, including three counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm. Additional charges relate to the alleged theft of the Toyota Fortuna, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while disqualified, and a breach of bail conditions. He and two other surviving occupants of the vehicle, a 19-year-old woman and 20-year-old Oscar Samual Lee Savage, were transported to Cairns Hospital following the incident.

Both Savage and the 19-year-old woman have also been charged with offenses linked to the vehicle's theft and related driving matters. Savage is scheduled to return to court next month, while the woman is due to appear in court on Wednesday. The matters for all three surviving occupants are currently before the Cairns Magistrates Court.