The heartbroken father of a fitness enthusiast killed while riding her motorbike can’t fathom ‘getting over’ her death, as he slams the government for not doing more to combat youth crime.
Jennifer Board, 22, was killed instantly after two cars collided and spun out of control at an intersection in Thuringowa Central, in Townsville, on Friday night.
One of the cars, a Hyundai sedan, was allegedly stolen, while the Holden Statesman also involved in the crash was allegedly driven by vigilantes trying to catch up with the other car.
The crash forced the Holden to veer onto the other side of the road and into Ms Board’s motorbike. She died at the scene.
Her devastated father Graham Board, who is suffering from the early stages of dementia, told the Courier Mail: ‘I couldn’t believe it, but I had to believe it.’
He still does not know too many details about his daughter’s death, given he has no access to the internet, but hopes she didn’t suffer.
Jennifer Board, 22, was killed instantly after two cars collided and spun out of control at an intersection in Thuringowa Central, in Townsville on Friday night
The 22-year-old’s last post to Instagram showed her celebrating the moment she received her restricted motorcycle license, having got her learner’s permit three months earlier
Mr Board hopes his only biological daughter’s death will force the Queensland government to take a tougher stance against youth crime.
‘So much of these stolen cars have been going on in Townsville and all they get is a slap on the fingers and they let them go out again,’ he said, reportedly as he slammed his fist down on his coffee table.
Her death comes just weeks after expectant parents Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field were allegedly killed by a teenager driving an out-of-control car while walking their dogs on Australia Day.
Ms Board has been remembered as a ‘kind, bubbly and adventurous’ woman who will be ‘dearly missed’ within her community.
Ms Board has been remembered as a ‘kind, bubbly and adventurous’ woman who will be ‘dearly missed’ within her community
Following her death, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced sweeping changes would be introduced in parliament this week to deal with juvenile criminals.
She said on Saturday that ‘everything is on the table’ but has not yet gone into detail about the changes.
‘I met yesterday with the Ministers for Police and Youth Justice and the Attorney-General as well as the heads of their departments and there will be announcements,’ she said.
The Premier said the crash was ‘a terrible tragedy on so many levels’.
‘My thoughts and prayers go out to loved ones, family and friends.’
Ms Board’s local community banded together on Saturday to hold a memorial ride in her honour.
Jennifer Board, 22, (pictured) was killed after she was hit by a vehicle that had just ploughed into another car at an intersection in Thuringowa Central, in Townsville on Friday night
Ms Board was hoping to become a police officer in Queensland, her family revealed
The 22-year-old had only recently celebrated getting her full motorcycle license, having got her learner’s permit three months earlier.
Her sister and best friend, Siana Board, said Jennifer was the ‘most genuine soul’, who loved the colour orange.
‘Jennifer has never hurt a single person in this life,’ Siana told the Courier Mail.
‘I couldn’t think of a worse person for this to happen to.’
Siana also revealed that her sister had recently applied for the police service.
Having just moved to Darwin, she is now desperately trying to get back to Queensland to farewell her sister.
‘There are no flights today … it destroyed me to move away from her, and now this happens,’ Siana said.
More than 100 motorcyclists rode down the street where Ms Board was killed on Saturday morning, with many donning orange in honour of the 22-year-old.
Her sister and best friend, Siana Board, (left) said Jennifer (right) was the ‘most genuine soul’ and had dreamed of becoming a police officer
Ms Board (pictured) had been riding down the road just before 10pm on Friday when she was struck
Hundreds of other locals laid orange flowers and carried orange balloons to pay their respects at the crash site.
Police alleged after the crash the stolen Hyundai fled the scene before the car was found abandoned in Garbutt an hour later.
The alleged driver of the Holden, a 25-year-old Bushland Beach man and his two passengers, a 41-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have any information regarding the incident to come forward as investigations continue.
The collision allegedly happened after a vigilante member of the public decided to ‘aggressively’ follow the allegedly stolen car, crossing the median strip of the road into the motorcycle’s path.
Superintendent Glen Ponting said: ‘I very strongly caution against any form of vigilante action.
‘Often times while people may have good intentions, it can result in unintended consequences.’
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the crash site on Saturday to farewell the young motorcyclist