August 11, 2026
A driver charged after a pedestrian was struck and killed in First Avenue, Kingaroy, in September 2024 has been sentenced to a total of nine years’ jail.
Jade Hugh Cherry, who was 30 and on parole at the time of the incident, will be eligible for parole on December 20, 2028.
Cherry has been in custody since his arrest, which was taken into account during sentencing in the Kingaroy District Court last Thursday.
Cherry pleaded guilty to:
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle (with two prior convictions)
- Two charges of unlicensed driving
- Driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle
- Failing to provide a specimen for testing
He was also disqualified from driving absolutely.
Emergency crews were called to First Avenue about 5:00am on September 3, 2024, after a black Mercedes-Benz struck a 36-year-old Kingaroy man, Colin Watson.
Mr Watson had been walking with another 27-year-old man when he was hit by the vehicle.
He died at the scene.
Investigations led police to locate the Mercedes at an address on Boonenne-Ellesmere Road in Taabinga.
Police arrested Cherry, who was wearing a tracking device, soon afterwards.
- Related article: Fatal Hit-And-Run: Man Arrested
