Man charged over serious Sunshine Motorway crash at Coolum Beach

Police have charged a 34-year-old Noosa Heads man following a serious traffic crash on the Sunshine Motorway at Coolum Beach on the morning of Friday 30 October.

Just before 6.50am, a blue Volkswagen Tiguan was allegedly being driven dangerously when it crossed double white centre lines and hit the side of a grey Subaru Impreza travelling in the opposite direction. It then crashed head-on into a grey Skoda Kodiaq.

The Volkswagen briefly caught fire, but the fire was out by the time emergency crews arrived. Police also allege the vehicle was bearing incorrect licence plates.

The 48-year-old Peregian Beach man driving the Skoda suffered critical injuries and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, 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 Volkswagen driver, a 34-year-old Noosa Heads man, was seriously injured and taken to hospital. The 38-year-old Tewantin man driving the Subaru was assessed by paramedics at the scene and was not physically injured.

Police have charged the 34-year-old 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 with a number plate attached that was issued for another vehicle. He also faces four drug offences.

He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 31 October.

The Queensland Police Service says enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving, and urged motorists to avoid driving under the influence, speeding, distraction, fatigue and not wearing a seatbelt.