A Springfield family’s grief has been rekindled after a second fatal crash at the same intersection where their beloved son died just three months earlier.
Emma Todd is struggling to come to terms with another tragedy at the University Drive and Sinnathamby Boulevard intersection in Springfield Central, where a man in his twenties died when the HiLux he was travelling in crashed into a tree on Wednesday night.
The latest fatality has brought flooding back the devastating memories of losing her own son, Bryce Todd, at the exact same intersection on 3 May.
The 20-something oil rig worker had been celebrating his twin siblings’ birthday at Flagstone Creek Tavern when he decided to ride his motorbike home rather than take the family car as his mother had suggested.
Mrs Todd recalls their final conversation with heartbreaking clarity. Despite her usual insistence that he take the car, she didn’t push as hard as normal when Bryce was determined to ride his motorbike that evening.
His parting words were a casual promise to see the family later – a promise that would never be fulfilled.
The family had access to Bryce’s location through a tracking app, and Mrs Todd witnessed the moment her son’s journey came to an abrupt halt at the intersection.
She remembers her son as someone who brought energy and joy to every gathering, describing him as the life of any party. Bryce had followed his father’s career path onto the oil rigs and was passionate about his motorbike – tragically, the same bike that would cost him his life.
Mrs Todd emphasises that her son was just beginning to experience all that life had to offer when it was cut short.
The family honoured Bryce’s memory with a celebration of life at Albert River Wines.
Queensland Police confirmed that emergency services were called to the latest crash around 11.03pm on 6 August. The driver of the HiLux, a man in his thirties, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment.
Police investigations into the Wednesday night incident are ongoing.
The intersection of University Drive and Sinnathamby Boulevard sits in the heart of Springfield Central, near major facilities including the University of Southern Queensland’s Springfield campus and the Orion Shopping Centre.
Both crashes have highlighted concerns about road safety at this busy intersection, which serves as a major thoroughfare for the growing Springfield community.
Published 8-August-2025
