A Far North Queensland community is in mourning after a 25-year-old woman was killed in a three-vehicle crash only weeks before she and her husband were due to mark their second wedding anniversary.
Savannah Spence Paige died on Wednesday after police allege a 36-year-old man stole a vehicle and was then involved in a collision with two other cars in Smithfield, Cairns.
Queensland Police allege Jake Edward Warn was affected by an intoxicating substance when he took a Toyota LandCruiser utility from Williams Esplanade at Palm Cove about 1.10pm.
Within about 15 minutes, emergency services were alerted to reports that the stolen vehicle had crashed into a Toyota RAV4 and a Subaru Impreza on the Smithfield Bypass.
Ms Paige, who was alone behind the wheel of the Toyota RAV4, could not be saved and died at the scene of the Cairns crash.
In a statement released through the Queensland Police Service on Friday, her grieving family remembered her as “beautiful inside and out”, with a smile that could brighten any room.
“She had an incredible sense of humour, a kind and caring heart, and was loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” the family said.
“She has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. Savannah and Lachie, her husband, were only just beginning the next chapter of their lives together.”
Savannah Spence Paige (pictured with her husband Lachie Paige) died after a three-car crash in Far North Queensland on Wednesday afternoon
A 36-year-old man, Jake Edward Warn, allegedly stole a vehicle before colliding with two cars
‘They had built a new home and community in Cairns and were excited about the future they were creating.
‘To have that future taken away so suddenly is something our family is struggling to comprehend. We are beyond devastated by her passing.’
Following the loss of Ms Paige, the community has rallied to create a GoFundMe campaign to pay tribute to the young woman and support her husband.
‘Savannah was one of those rare people who made life feel lighter just by being in it,’ organiser Isabella Kanowski said on the fundraiser.
‘Born and raised on the Gold Coast, she carried that easy-going warmth everywhere she went.
‘Sav and Lachie had been together since 2017 and were approaching their second wedding anniversary at the end of this month.
‘Together they built a beautiful life, living in Sydney, the Gold Coast, and most recently the Northern Beaches of Cairns with their two beloved dogs, Hazel and Marley.’
Ms Kanowski said no one could have imagined their ‘journey together would be cut so short’.
Ms Paige died just weeks before her second wedding anniversary
‘As Lachie faces the unimaginable heartbreak of losing the love of his life, we want to give him the gift of time,’ the organiser said.
‘As a self-employed carpenter, he doesn’t have the security of paid leave.
‘Our hope is to ease the financial burden of the mortgage and everyday living expenses, allowing him the time and space to grieve while surrounded by family and friends.’
A candlelight vigil for Ms Paige has been organised in Fogarty Park for Sunday night.
After the fatal crash on Wednesday, police said four people were taken to hospital with injuries.
Warn is accused of entering another Toyota shortly after the crash and forcing a 71-year-old man, who was not physically injured, to drive him away from the scene.
Warn was taken into custody by police almost an hour later before being transported to Cairns Hospital for treatment.
He was charged with at least five offences, including manslaughter, stealing a vehicle, dangerous operation of a vehicle and driving while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.
He was refused bail and was due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.
Investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone with relevant information or vision to come forward.
