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Saturday, February 8, 2025

Truck driver extradited over fatal 2004 crash that killed boy, 6

A 59-year-old truck driver is set to be extradited from Queensland – 18 years after his alleged involvement in a crash in the NSW Southern Highlands which killed a six-year-old child.

Queensland Police took the man into custody by virtue of a NSW Police arrest warrant yesterday.

The man was taken to Ipswich Watchhouse before appearing in Ipswich Magistrates Court today, where NSW Police Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) officers applied for the man’s extradition to NSW.

This was granted and the man is due to arrive at Sydney Airport tomorrow night.

The arrest warrant relates to a crash in 2004 in which six-year-old boy, Rian Strathdee, died.

The boy was a back-seat passenger in a station wagon which was allegedly struck by a heavy vehicle while being driven south along the Hume Highway near Sutton Forest about 9.40pm on Friday 26 November 2004.

Rian died at the scene after the car travelled 40 metres down an embankment and rolled several times. Police say the truck involved did not stop.

Rian’s father – then aged 45 – was airlifted to Prince of Wales Hospital with neck injuries, while Rian’s brother – then aged 11 – was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead with facial injuries, cuts and bruising.

His mother – then aged 46 – who was driving at the time, also suffered extensive cuts and bruising.

Inquiries at the time were unable to identify the vehicle and driver and, following an inquest in 2006, the Coroner could not determine an at-fault vehicle or driver, NSW Police said in a statement.

“Investigations continued by CIU when, in 2016, the case was again reviewed.”

“Since that time, further information has come to light and, in September 2022, a warrant for the man’s arrest was issued,” Police said.

Police will allege the man – then aged 42 – was working as a truck driver at the time of the crash.

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