A mother’s heartbreak over losing her daughter in the Bruce Highway crash has deepened as she watches the tragedy become a viral moment, fearing 22-year-old Jocelyn Mollee will be remembered for the mayhem and not the life she lived.
A Young Life Lost in a Moment
The Easter Monday crash turned deadly when a red Porsche Macan lost control on the Bruce Highway, triggering a multi-vehicle pile-up. Jocelyn Mollee, a 22-year-old University of Queensland engineering student, died at the scene.
The driver, 41-year-old Bradley Donald Towle, allegedly fled, shot a 62-year-old man who stopped to help, stole his car, and later committed a second carjacking before being arrested nearby. Towle faces multiple charges, including dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and armed robbery, and is due in court on 30 June.
‘Her Heart Was So Big’: Family Speaks Out
Jocelyn’s mother, Amanda Chippendale, said her daughter loved nature and cared deeply about water conservation. The 22-year-old was in her final year of a chemical engineering degree and had spent Easter camping with her boyfriend.
They were driving back to Brisbane when their car was caught in the crash. Amanda later spoke of her frustration that Jocelyn’s death was being overshadowed by a viral video of two witnesses, saying her daughter’s life and potential deserved more attention.
University and Community in Mourning
The University of Queensland said it was deeply saddened by Jocelyn’s death and offered support to students who knew her. Her peers remembered her as intelligent, kind and quietly determined.
First responders also felt the emotional weight of the crash, with Jocelyn’s family acknowledging the lasting impact such trauma can have on those who arrive first.
Calls for Change Amid Grief
Jocelyn’s mother called for tougher penalties for adult offenders behind the wheel, saying no other family should have to suffer what hers is now facing. She believes stronger consequences could help prevent similar tragedies.
Police are still piecing together the events that began with the crash and quickly escalated. What remains clear is that a young life was lost on a highway used by thousands of Queenslanders every day.
Published 6-May-2025