A woman has died, a man has been shot and an alleged gunman has been arrested following two carjackings and a spate of crashes on the Sunshine Coast.

In a tragic sequence of events on the Sunshine Coast, a 22-year-old woman lost her life following a multi-vehicle crash attributed to a reckless driving incident involving a red Porsche Macan. This incident took place around noon, coinciding with the end of the busy Easter long weekend, which typically sees increased traffic on the roads. The police report indicates that shortly after the crash, the driver of the Porsche fled the scene, allegedly armed with a firearm, and initiated a series of carjackings that added to the chaos. The Porsche driver, identified as 41-year-old Bradley Donald Towle, is reported to have shot the driver of a white SsangYong Rexton—also involved in the carjacking—before continuing his tumultuous spree by attempting to steal a grey Mazda 3 from a young driver under instruction from her parents. Fortunately, they were unharmed as they fled the vehicle. Witness accounts described the erratic driving of the Porsche prior to the crash, which underlines the reckless nature of Towle's actions. Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland addressed the media with visible emotion, labeling the scene as "just terrible" and expressing his disbelief over the events. The impacts of this incident extend beyond just the personal tragedy; they highlight larger issues regarding road safety, mental health, and the implications of reckless driving. As investigations are ongoing, officers have established multiple crime scenes and are appealing to witnesses for further information. The recovery of the firearm from the Mazda after Towle’s arrest raises concerns about gun violence and its intertwining with road safety. The community is understandably shaken, and the tragic loss of life—a young woman with a promising future—resonates deeply within the local and wider Australian community. Overall, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life, particularly on our roads during high-traffic periods. It raises pressing questions about how we address reckless behavior and the safety of all road users.