Couple hit and killed by allegedly stolen car identified as parents-to-be

A couple hit and killed by a car while walking their dogs on Australia Day have been identified as parents-to-be Katherine Jane Leadbetter and her partner Matthew Philip Field.

A teenager has been accused of being behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen car and has been charged with murder.

Ms Leadbetter, 31, and Mr Field, 37, were struck by a Landcruiser 4WD after it sped through a red light at Finucane Road and Vienna Road in Brisbane last night.

The couple were expecting a child together.

Ms Leadbetter, an interior stylist, was six months pregnant at the time of the crash.

One of the couple's dogs, Frankie, went missing after the crash and was found in bushland today. She has been taken to the vet.

The couple's other dog is in the care of family.

A 17-year-old boy will face court today in Brisbane charged with the couple's murder.

Police allege he was driving a stolen Landcruiser 4WD when he went through a red light and ploughed into a truck at Alexandra Hills.

It's alleged the 4WD was stolen between 4pm and 5pm yesterday from a Cleveland house, prior to the deadly rampage.

Moments earlier, the 4WD was filmed appearing to engage in a road rage attack, deliberately colliding with a silver Hyundai at the intersection of Vienna and Finucane Roads before speeding away.

https://twitter.com/SallyGyte/status/1354269074184785920

About 15 minutes later, he allegedly lost control of the 4WD after speeding through the red light at Finucane Road and Vienna Road and collided with the truck.

The Landcruiser rolled and struck the Alexandra Hills couple as they crossed the road.

"Despite the incredible efforts of witnesses and emergency services both pedestrians died at the scene," Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said.

"The terrible tragedy has resulted in two, potentially three innocent lives being lost."

Mr Codd said witnesses and first responders are receiving support for the "incredibly catastrophic scene".

"We heard this terrific noise and we thought someone's had an accident," a witness told 9News.

"We thought it could have been us, we walk here often enough."

Police have also called on anyone who may have dashcam footage to contact police.

"Can I appeal to people to recognise that even the smallest piece of information could be vital in us building a case and understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic circumstance," Mr Codd said.

He said the families of the two victims are "devastated" by the incident and expressed his sympathies to those involved.

"Here's two people going about their innocent businesses on Australia Day, walking their dogs. They should be entitled to do that and now to have them ripped away from their families is absolutely tragic and it will weigh very, very heavily on first responders and witnesses. It shouldn't happen."

Floral tributes are growing at the site of the tragedy.

After crashing the car, police allege the 17-year-old then stole a set of keys from a nearby property and attempted to start a car in the garage.

He fled when approached by the owner of the home before being arrested by police a short time later, police allege.

https://twitter.com/JordanFabris9/status/1354241033568063489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

He was taken to hospital for soft tissue injuries before being detained overnight.

The boy has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of dangerous driving while intoxicated, two counts of burglary, and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Police said additional charges may be laid as investigations continue and have urged anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward.