The driver accused of hitting a doctor out on his early-morning jog in a Brisbane suburb, recognised the victim and deliberately ran him down, police allege.
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Detectives will allege Dr Peter Dunne, 53, was the victim of a hit and run, committed by an unlicensed driver, about 4am on February 18, 2019, in Strathfield Street, Tarragindi.
On Thursday, 32-year-old Tarragindi local Thomas Hill was charged with murder, driving a vehicle failing to remain at an incident and assist an injured person showing callous disregard and unlicensed driving.
Danny Walker, who had been a patient of Dr Dunne's for seven years, said the Brisbane GP had run many major marathons across the globe and had even completed some twice.
"He was a fantastic doctor - friendly, down to earth ... I’ve been on the methadone program for 30 years and he was the best doctor I’d had," he said.
"He was a family man, with three kids, happily married ... He was really proud of his kids, his youngest was in their final year of school."
Tributes have also flowed on Facebook from Dr Dunne's family and former patients.
El White wrote: "Lots of love to Peta and the girls on the passing of my cousin Peter. This is so unfair that a brilliant man was taken this way."
Alisha Welsh commented: "My partner and I loved having you as our doctor, such an open, gentle and fun-loving soul who always took a genuine interest and care in our lives and made us laugh during our appointments."
Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said he and his team had gathered "extensive evidence" to support the murder charge against Mr Hill - the result of thousands of hours of police work.
"It became apparent to us quite quickly there was something a little bit more deliberate in the act itself," Inspector Thompson said on Friday.
"We can show this was a deliberate and willed act, not an accidental hit from the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
"We will allege one of the vehicles turned around to where the victim was and deliberately aimed his motor vehicle at where the victim was and then left the street again."
Inspector Thompson said the driver of the second vehicle, who was following the accused's car, was not involved and would not face charges.
He said the incident was not related to Dr Dunne's work as a GP and opioid dependency specialist at Toombul Medical Centre.
Inspector Thompson said the charges were laid after officers doorknocked businesses and homes in the area and gathered security camera footage and witness statements.
"We looked for CCTV and witnesses and spent hundreds of hours looking at footage and linked the two vehicles travelling in concert out of that area.
"We have located both drivers of both vehicles, forensically examined both vehicles and are satisfied one person acted of his own volition."
Dr Dunne, a regular jogger in the area, suffered skull fractures, brain injuries, significant bruising to his eye socket, a broken ankle, scratches to his lower legs and hand injuries.
He was found lying semi-conscious in the street by local residents and although he was able to talk briefly to responding officers, he was incoherent and unable to say what had happened.
Dr Dunne was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition and put up a "valiant fight", according to Inspector Thompson, until Sunday when he died from his injuries.
"He was well-respected, a pillar of the community ... [he] was out for a jog at 4am in the morning and his last days were decided by someone else," Inspector Thompson said.
"[Dr Dunne's family] have been extremely helpful to us ... they’ve shown real courage under extreme adversity, they’re extremely pleased with the result.
"I have no reason to hold concern for other members of the community ... running groups are safe."
Mr Hill appeared briefly in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday where the matter was adjourned for a committal mention on April 29 and he was remanded in custody.
Appearing briefly outside court, Mr Hill's defence lawyer Brendan Beavon said his client was holding up well and planned to fight the charges.
- with Joey Cooney
