Horror Ipswich crash victim identified as locals demand change

A young man from Ripley was identified as the victim of a three-vehicle crash in Amberley at the weekend.

Ariel Jocson, 25, died in the crash in Ipswich that left another man fighting for his life.

Jocson was one of two passengers in the gray Mitsubishi Lancer that collided with a truck as it turned west onto Cunningham Highway before colliding with another car.

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Jocson’s sister Kristina Jocson paid tribute to her brother in an emotional Facebook post.

“To have a best brother means to have experienced an extraordinary gift,” she said.

“Our paths may change throughout life, but our bond will remain strong.

“I’ll miss you, my Australian boy.”

Jocson, originally from the Philippines, was studying mechanics in Australia and had planned to return home in just a few weeks.

Queensland Police said the driver of the Lancer, a 33-year-old man from Highgate Hill, was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition.

The passenger in the car was not physically injured.

Ipswich locals have taken to social media to express their concerns about the junction of Cunningham Highway and Ipswich Rosewood Road where the accident occurred, calling it a “nightmare”.

“I was at the exact same intersection Saturday morning and it was a nightmare turning west,” one community member said online, adding that there had been “talks about upgrading for many years.”

Another Facebook user blamed the “poor treatment of the highway by Queensland and the federal government” for the problems motorists faced at the intersection, while others simply said: “They need to fix this spot”.

Shayne Neumann, Federal MP for the local electorate of Blair, told 7NEWS: “Two options for short-term upgrades to improve safety and address congestion at the Cunningham Highway Ipswich-Rosewood Road junction, Amberley were presented to the community in mid-2022.”

“Given the safety and congestion concerns along the highway and intersection, as well as the rapid growth of this area, this project is my top priority,” he said.

Neumann said he had raised the issue directly with Transport Minister Catherine King and Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

“This is terrible news and every death on our roads is one too many,” Neumann said.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and with the motorist injured in this accident.”