A 30-year-old Millmerran man has been charged with murder after he allegedly drove into the side of a house near Toowoomba on Christmas Day, killing a 55-year-old man.
Russell Klein, a rugby league personality in the local community, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene.
Police allege the man deliberately drove at Mr Klein at an address on Commens Road in Millmerran just after 9:30pm.
Thirty-year-old Callum Anthony Padaric Cook appeared in person in the Toowoomba Magistrates court this morning charged with several offences including the murder of Mr Klein.
Members of Mr Cook's family were in attendance when the matter was mentioned.
He has been remanded in custody until the 28th of February when his matter will be mentioned again.
Mr Cook allegedly fled the scene to a nearby park where he was located and arrested by officers a short time later.
Anyone with dash cam footage, or who may have witnessed the moments leading up to the incident, is urged to contact police.
'A fine young fellow'
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio, a friend of Mr Klein's, said he was a huge loss to the small Millmerran community of around 1,500 people.
"He's a fine young fellow. He's a classical Australian always to me, he was so thankful to live here," Mr Antonio said.
"He did so much in the community as well.
"He loved his rugby league, and he added a lot of passion to that for many years.
"But to have what happened last night in the circumstances that happened, is very, very sad indeed for the whole community and this community will take this in a very tough way."
