Tragic Loss on Bruce Highway: Remembering Jocelyn Grace Mollee as Suspect Faces Multiple Charges in Fatal Crash
PALMVIEW, QLD — April 22, 2025 — A wave of grief and outrage has swept through the community following the tragic death of 22-year-old Jocelyn Grace Mollee, who was killed in a horrifying multi-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway on Easter Monday. The devastating chain of events has led to the arrest of 41-year-old Bradley Donald Towle, who now faces a long list of serious charges, including dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
A Beautiful Soul Gone Too Soon
Jocelyn Grace Mollee, a bright and ambitious young woman, was a fourth-year chemical engineering student with her whole future ahead of her. She was known for her warmth, intelligence, and incredible ability to light up a room. “She was a beautiful young woman, a gentle soul, and a hard worker,” her mother Amanda Chippendale said. “She was going to be a pillar of society.”
Those who knew Jocelyn say she could make anyone laugh, and her presence was always uplifting. Her sudden and tragic passing has left her family, friends, and community reeling.
The Crash and Escalating Violence
The incident began when Bradley Donald Towle, allegedly under the influence of drugs, crashed a red Porsche Macan into multiple vehicles on the Bruce Highway in Palmview, causing a six-car pileup. Jocelyn, a passenger in one of the vehicles, sustained fatal injuries. A 22-year-old male companion suffered minor injuries.
What followed was a violent series of events that have stunned authorities and the public alike.
According to police, after the crash, Towle allegedly approached a white SsangYong SUV, shot the 62-year-old driver in the arm, and stole the vehicle at gunpoint. The SUV was later found rolled over in nearby Landsborough.
Undeterred, Towle is said to have stolen a second vehicle — a grey Mazda 3 — from a 16-year-old learner driver during a driving lesson. He allegedly pointed a gun at the teen and ordered them out of the car before fleeing once again.
Arrest and Charges
Towle was finally apprehended by Queensland Police on Steve Irwin Way at Landsborough after a tense standoff caught on bodycam video. Officers approached the vehicle with weapons drawn and ordered him to the ground. A loaded shotgun was found in the car.
Towle suffered head and body injuries during the arrest and is currently under police guard at Sunshine Coast University Hospital. He has been charged with 15 offenses, including:
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death
- Armed robbery
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm
- Several counts of vehicle theft
He is expected to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court once discharged from the hospital.
A Community in Mourning
Jocelyn’s death has left a profound void in the lives of all who loved her. Vigils are being planned in her honor, and messages of support have poured in for the Chippendale family.
The tragedy has also sparked renewed conversations about road safety, mental health, and drug abuse. Many in the community are calling for stronger preventative measures to protect innocent lives.
Authorities Seek Information
Police are urging anyone who may have dashcam footage or information about the incidents leading up to the crash and subsequent carjackings to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppersqld.com.au.
This heartbreaking story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be lost to reckless and violent acts. Jocelyn Grace Mollee’s light was extinguished far too soon, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.