A 25-year-old Cairns woman has died after a head-on collision allegedly caused by a man driving a stolen vehicle, reigniting community anger over the state's bail laws.
Savannah Spence was killed when an allegedly stolen Land Cruiser crashed into her RAV4 on the Smithfield Bypass.
Charges laid
Police have charged 36-year-old Jake Edward Warn with manslaughter, stealing, and showing callous disregard for an injured person.
After the crash, Warn allegedly fled the wreckage and carjacked a 71-year-old man, forcing him to drive away from the scene.
Witnesses describe chaos
Witness Steve Thompson said, "Saw a four-wheel drive come up Reservoir Rd, great speeds." Another witness, Jimmy Marou, said, "Woke up from all the noise, police and ambulance out the front."
Arrest and bail history
Warn was arrested north-west of the CBD and is now in hospital under police guard. He was allegedly under the influence at the time of the crash.
7NEWS can reveal Warn was released on bail in April by a Supreme Court judge to receive cancer treatment. He was refused bail when he appeared before a magistrate on Thursday.
Community anger
The tragedy has reignited frustration over repeat offenders being granted bail, with locals expressing anger at the pace of law reform.
Cairns Regional Council Deputy Mayor Brett Olds said, "The whole community is just... their heart's been ripped out of them."
Attorney-general Deb Frecklington defended her government's efforts to overhaul bail laws. "This is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the victim's family," she said.
Barron River MP Bree James said, "I know the people of Cairns are hurting. I know the people of Cairns are frustrated, as am I. I would love for things to turn around faster."
But frustrated locals say promises aren't enough. Thompson said, "He's promised and he's promised and he's promised, but he ain't bloody delivered. He works for us." Olds added, "The state government need to step up here. They were elected in on this issue, on crime."
