September 12, 2025

Carter Capner Law monitors accidents involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, busses, cyclists and trams throughout Australia to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for drivers, riders, passengers, pedestrians. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law. Click on Client Showcase to view our history of road accident compensation claims.

Case Overview
Dramatic vision has been released of a stolen food delivery truck pursued by police from Brisbane to Tiaro on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The truck, allegedly stolen from Elizabeth Street in Brisbane around 9:00 am, travelled northbound on the Bruce Highway for several hours, swerving across lanes at high speeds with its doors open. Police deployed tyre spikes, shredding the truck’s tyres, which left it running on metal rims and sparking grass fires along the highway verge.

The pursuit ended just before 2:00 pm near Tiaro, south of Maryborough, when officers intercepted the truck and arrested the alleged driver, Dylan Jake Fitzgerald, 39, of Fortitude Valley.

“Do you know where you are? You’re halfway to Maryborough.” — Arresting officer during Fitzgerald’s arrest

Court Details

  • Hearing Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
  • Court: Hervey Bay Magistrates Court
  • Defendant: Dylan Jake Fitzgerald, 39, Fortitude Valley
  • Status: Did not apply for bail; remanded in custody

Charges

  • Unlawful use of a motor vehicle
  • Dangerous driving
  • Driving while suspended
  • Driving under the influence
  • Evading police
  • Additional charges linked to the pursuit and damage caused (seven charges in total)

Background to Offence

  • The truck was allegedly stolen in Brisbane while the driver was delivering food to local businesses.
  • Witnesses reported the doors swinging open as the truck travelled erratically northbound, with attempts to alert the driver ignored.
  • The truck scraped along the Bruce Highway after police tyre spikes shredded its wheels, causing sparks and igniting spot fires in roadside grasslands.
  • POLAIR tracked the truck during the pursuit, capturing footage of the erratic driving and fires.
  • The chase ended at Tiaro, where Fitzgerald was arrested by ground units after hours of pursuit.

Community Impact
The chase caused widespread disruption along the Bruce Highway, one of Queensland’s busiest transport corridors, and created significant risk to other motorists. Spot fires triggered by the truck’s rims added to the chaos, requiring attention from emergency services. The incident has renewed concerns about stolen vehicle offences and high-risk pursuits in Queensland.

Next Steps
Fitzgerald has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court later this month. Investigations by Queensland Police into the pursuit and associated damage are ongoing.