A man has been charged with four counts of murder and attempted robbery following a tragic incident on the New South Wales North Coast last year. Emergency services were alerted to a serious crash on Back Channel Road near Wardell at approximately 5:45 am on February 24, 2024. Upon arrival, police discovered a blue Mazda utility that had veered off the road and collided with a tree.
The four occupants of the vehicle, identified as the driver Mark Dodds, 36, and passengers Sophie-Lee Fullagar, 33, Benjamin Watego, 50, and James Doherty, 42, sadly lost their lives in the accident. Authorities suspect that an attempted robbery involving another vehicle may have led to the collision, resulting in the tragic fatalities of those in the Mazda.
After a thorough investigation, a 29-year-old man was arrested at Coffs Harbour Police Station and has since been charged with multiple serious offences, including four counts of murder, attempted armed robbery, and causing grievous bodily harm. His bail was refused during his initial appearance in Coffs Harbour Local Court, and he is scheduled to reappear in Lismore Local Court on May 14.
The police are continuing their investigation into the incident as they piece together the events surrounding this unfortunate crash.