4 Killed After Man Allegedly 'Chased' Their Vehicle off Road in 'Targeted Attack': Police

A man in Australia is accused of killing four people after an alleged robbery attempt, with police claiming he intentionally ran their vehicle off the road.

The incident occurred shortly after 5:45 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2024, according to a statement from the New South Wales Police Force. Emergency responders arrived at Back Channel Road in Wardell to find a Mazda BT50 crashed into a tree, with all four of the vehicle’s occupants dead: driver Mark Dodds, 36; Sophie-Lee Fullagar, 24; Benjamin Watego, 50; and James Doherty, 42.

On March 4, after an extensive investigation, 29-year-old Alec St. Clair was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon and cause wounding/grievous bodily harm.

St. Clair is accused of trying to rob the foursome after meeting up with them in South Ballina. He then allegedly chased them down in his Toyota Corolla, eventually driving them off the road and into a tree, authorities allege.

“Police will further allege the actions and manner of driving of the man led to the utility [vehicle] colliding with a tree, killing the four occupants,” the police statement says.

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Speaking to the media about the arrest, Acting Superintendent Grant Erickson claimed that “this was a targeted attack,” and noted that some of the victims were previously known to the alleged killer, per ABC.Net.au. 

The victims’ families reportedly spoke out about their loved ones at court. Fullagar was described as a “beautiful girl” with a “heart of gold,” the Sydney Morning Herald says, while Doherty’s passion for sports was noted.