Bruce Daley, a 56-year-old former police officer, tragically lost his life in a fatal car crash in the Legacy Way tunnel at Mount Coot-tha on Wednesday afternoon.
The collision occurred when Daley’s black Audi S3 crashed into a silver Mazda 3, resulting in the instantaneous death of a 24-year-old female passenger from the Northern Territory and leaving the 23-year-old female driver from South Australia in critical condition at Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital. The two women had traveled from out of state to attend a wedding in Brisbane.
Daley had served in the police force for 25 years before retiring in 2014 and transitioning to a career in construction. He was separated from his wife and had been in a relationship with another woman for about a year.
The woman’s daughter described their relationship as having its ups and downs but generally happy, with Daley treating her mother well and providing for her without hesitation. The daughter also mentioned that her mother, currently in Thailand, is devastated by Daley’s death and was speaking to him on the phone just before the crash.
The police investigation is ongoing, with a focus on Daley’s driving, including potential factors such as speed, although this has not been confirmed. The authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the Audi in Brisbane on Wednesday to come forward with information.
The incident brings the state’s road toll to 99 lives lost this year, prompting authorities to emphasize the importance of road safety and vigilance, especially with the upcoming long weekend.
