A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for killing a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash in Chermside, before attempting to destroy evidence by setting his car on fire.
Joshua Alexander Scott appeared in Brisbane District Court on Friday where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and arson of a motor vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 5.15am on 21 March 2024 at the intersection of Kittyhawk Drive and Murphy Road, near the shopping centre.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The victim, 72-year-old Ian Victor Colwell, was on his regular early morning walk when Scott ran a red light and struck him whilst crossing the intersection. Mr Colwell was a well-known local resident who had lived in nearby Wavell Heights for more than 20 years and was recognised for his daily walks around the area.
Mr Colwell was a Vietnam-era veteran who served in Papua New Guinea during 1972-73 and worked as an educator, having taught in Papua New Guinea during his military service. He was described in court as an active and generous member of his community whose leadership and care could not easily be replaced.
The court heard that Scott briefly stopped his vehicle and made eye contact with a witness before speeding away, leaving Mr Colwell face down on the roadway with severe injuries including a bleeding and fractured skull. Despite emergency services rushing him to hospital, Mr Colwell suffered a fatal cardiac arrest whilst in the ambulance.
Cover-up Attempt
Following the collision, Scott embarked on an elaborate attempt to conceal his involvement. He drove to a friend’s residence where he admitted what had occurred and changed his clothing. Scott then contacted his partner, instructing her to delete CCTV footage showing him leaving their home that morning and to remove messages between them.
Scott subsequently drove to Wavell Heights where he poured accelerant through the vehicle and set it ablaze before proceeding to his workplace. Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins told the court that Scott had fabricated a story claiming the car had been stolen and attempted to establish an alibi with his employer.
Police arrested Scott at his workplace later that same morning. Initially, he provided false information to officers, but eventually confessed to the crime, telling investigators he had been “daydreaming” when the collision occurred.
Extensive Criminal History
The court was told Scott had an extensive criminal history, including 46 previous driving convictions. These comprised 29 speeding offences and multiple instances of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. At the time of the fatal crash, Scott was serving a suspended sentence for drug-related charges.
Mr Wilkins described Scott’s traffic history as “deplorable” and noted that he knew he had struck someone but chose to flee the scene regardless.
Family Impact
Mr Colwell’s nephew, Damian Colwell, delivered a victim impact statement on behalf of the family, describing the death as “sudden, senseless and violent” and stating it had left them “broken”. He expressed the family’s struggle to comprehend such indifference to human life within their community.
The family said their gatherings would forever feel incomplete and emphasised that Mr Colwell had been struck down without care or compassion, left alone in his final moments.
Sentencing
Judge John Allen KC acknowledged the family’s heartbreak and accepted that the offending had caused “enormous loss and harm”. Scott was sentenced to five years imprisonment with eligibility to apply for parole in November, taking into account time already served.
He has also been disqualified from driving, with restrictions on his ability to obtain a Queensland driver’s licence without special permission once released.
Scott provided a letter of apology to the court, and his parents, who attended the hearing to support him, also submitted a character reference.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the importance of road safety, particularly during peak pedestrian hours in busy suburban areas like Chermside.
Published 11-July-2025
