Driver charged over death

A DRIVER charged over the death of a middleaged Townsville dad was allegedly drunk and ran a red light before a horrific crash.

Police will allege a 26-year-old man driving a Volkswagen Amarok collided with a Mazda 3 at the intersection of Dalrymple Rd and Nathan St at 2.30am on March 15.

The driver of the Mazda, Gavin Lavender, 50, was killed in the crash.

Townsville Forensic Crash Unit completed its six-month crash investigation last week and arrested the driver of the Volkswagen on August 31.

Police will allege the man was under the influence of alcohol, adversely affected and ran a red light in the lead up to the crash.

The driver suffered serious head injuries in the crash and spent some time recovering in hospital. Two other men in their 20s, who were passengers in the cars, were also injured in the crash.

Mr Lavender was remembered by friends as a kind person who would do anything for anyone in the days after his death.

Shocking photos from the crash scene show significant damage to both cars.

Mr Lavender’s vehicle was almost ripped in half from the impact to the driver’s side of the sedan. Fishing rods and equipment protruded from the rear window as the vehicle was towed away. The Amarok’s roof was caved in and it had skidded off the road into long grass after the collision.

The 26-year-old driver has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while adversely affected, fail to stop at a red light, and drive while under the influence of alcohol.

He will face court on September 23.