Man charged with manslaughter after fatal Smithfield crash in Cairns

Queensland Police Service arrested Jake Edward Warn after he allegedly stole a Toyota LandCruiser ute in Palm Cove and drove it while impaired. While traveling south on the Smithfield Bypass, Warn’s vehicle struck a Subaru Impreza and a Toyota Rav4, resulting in the death of a 25-year-old woman from Kewarra Beach, the only person in the Rav4. Police claim Warn then entered a Toyota C-HR, compelling its 71-year-old driver to take him to Manoora, where he was detained and taken to Cairns Hospital.

Four additional people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. The Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch has laid five charges, including manslaughter, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and vehicle theft. Bail was denied, and the matter will be heard today in the Cairns Magistrates Court.