Arabic version: الشرطة تسعى إلى مراجعة تهمة القتل في قضية حادث كيرنز

According to ABC News, police will ask the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider upgrading a manslaughter charge to murder after a fatal alleged stolen-car crash in Cairns.

Jake Edward Warn, 36, of Warrami near Tully, appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court on five charges, including manslaughter. Police allege he was driving a stolen car when it crashed into two vehicles on the Smithfield Bypass on Wednesday, killing 25-year-old Savannah Paige.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Maynard Marcum told the court police needed additional time to prepare a brief of evidence. He said the DPP would be asked whether felonious or reckless indifference murder was supported by that material.

Police allege the vehicle had been stolen 15 minutes before the crash, about 15 kilometres north of Cairns. The bypass was closed for several hours and several people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The court also heard Mr Warn allegedly entered another car after the crash and forced its 71-year-old male driver to take him from the scene. He was arrested less than an hour later near Manoora and taken to hospital. Mr Warn’s lawyer, Luke Parrish, made no bail application. The case returns to court on October 27.