Tourist charged with attempted murder over hit-and-run

An international tourist has been charged with eight counts of attempted murder for allegedly plowing his car into pedestrians in what police say was a deliberate hit-and-run.

Emergency services were called to Aerodrome Rd in Maroochydore on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast following reports that a white Toyota Yaris had crashed into a group of eight pedestrians just before midnight on Saturday.

The 24-year-old woman, who suffered life-threatening injuries, was hospitalized in critical condition.

Three pedestrians, including two 18-year-old boys and a 19-year-old man, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The 38-year-old driver of the Toyota Yaris fled the scene and was arrested a short time later at a nearby home.

Police said the man was an international tourist.

Detective Acting Inspector Peter Hocken said police believed the pedestrians were shot in a deliberate attack.

“Based on the evidence we obtained at the scene, we consider this to be a deliberate, premeditated act,” he told reporters on Sunday.

Det Insp Hocken said the driver and a group of men were involved in a “minor” argument shortly before the alleged attack.

“The previous incident only lasted a few minutes. It was a minor incident,” he said.

“I think the men were crossing the street at the pedestrian crossing and the male driver took offense.”

Police allege the man returned a short time later and walked onto the footpath where six men and two women were walking.

Det Insp Hocken said the men and women did not know each other.

“They were walking on that sidewalk at the time,” he said.

The 24-year-old woman had come from NSW to visit her family as a surprise.

“He was walking along the roadside minding his business when he hit this vehicle,” Det Insp Hocken said.

“A family is flying in from NSW to be with their daughter who is coming to Queensland to spend some time with her family just before Christmas.”

The driver will appear at Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court on Monday.