Mum loses second son in car crash as driver granted bail

Daniel Graupner charged with manslaughter of Kale Bailey after Widgee crash Wed 22 Jul 2026 at 2:43pm In short: A Queensland man charged over an accident that claimed the life of Kale Bailey has been granted bail. The 31-year-old's mother lost her eldest son in similar circumstances 16 years ago. What's next? The driver, Daniel Graupner, is expected to face court again in September. A 30-year-old Queensland man charged over the death of his friend in a single-car crash has been released on bail. Widgee resident Daniel Graupner was arrested on July 14 and charged with manslaughter and driving over the middle alcohol limit. The bakery worker's arrest came after a lengthy police investigation into the crash, which occurred at Widgee at about 12:30am on May 15. Mr Graupner was taken to Gympie Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His passenger, 31-year-old Kale Bailey of Peregian Beach, died at the scene. His mother, Tony Amanda Bailey, 64, of Hervey Bay, lost her other son, Jake Bailey, in similar circumstances 16 years ago. "Both my boys gone to road trauma, as passengers," she said. Just after 3am on the day of the crash a police officer knocked on Ms Bailey's door. "They came inside, sat me down, looked me straight in the eye and said, 'Your son Kale has been killed in a car accident,'" she said. "I haven't processed it at all yet. Just numb. In shock." According to Ms Bailey the pair were driving home from a gathering at a friend's house. "He had precious cargo in his car," she said. Both sons gone When Jake Bailey died at the age of 18 on February 17, 2010, he was in the back seat of a car that crashed into another vehicle on Cooroy-Noosa Road at Tinbeerwah at about 3:50pm. Andrew Spence, 18, was sitting in the front seat and died instantly. Mr Bailey was cut out of the car and taken to hospital, where he died later that day. The driver, 18-year-old Nathan Palmer, was convicted on two counts of dangerous driving causing death and was sentenced to two years and six months' imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years. He was also disqualified from driving for two years. Police said the 60-year-old driver of the other car suffered minor injuries. Ms Bailey said it was a "really unfortunate accident on a wet road". "No drugs or alcohol … these were good boys … they were university students," she said. "I still have a very close relationship with Nathan … I don't blame him at all." Now childless, Ms Bailey wants Queenslanders to take more care behind the wheel. "When you've got a passenger, that's somebody else's life … somebody's son, daughter, mother, father … it's precious cargo," she said. For three years Ms Bailey has been volunteering for the Ladybird Care Foundation, which counsels bereaved parents. "I've lost both my children and I will never attend my child's wedding," she said. "I'll never be a grandmother. I have no other blood family members." 'He was a character' Kale Bailey will be remembered for his sense of humour, love of life, and kind heart. Days before the crash he returned from a five-week stint working on his father's 2,023-hectare sheep station. When he was 15, Kale left Noosa District State High School and went to live with his father in Blackwater, where he completed his plumbing apprenticeship. He then returned to the Sunshine Coast to work as a plumber. He enjoyed golf and travelling. "He was a character … and he would say to me that he needed to feel alive because of his brother's death," Ms Bailey said. "He absolutely loved to talk … was very loved … always a laugh … a prankster … he was a good boy." Bail granted On Wednesday police prosecutor Rachel Duckworth told Maroochydore Magistrates Court that Mr Graupner had a blood alcohol level of 0.111. She alleged that in the lead-up to the crash videos were circulating of Mr Graupner "driving dangerously" at "high, excess speeds" on tyres with little to no tread. Ms Duckworth told the court that Mr Graupner had little recollection of the incident. The court heard Mr Graupner told police he had cannabis in his system on the night of the crash. A picture of his prescription was tendered in court. He has not been charged over this admission. Mr Graupner's parents were in court supporting him. His barrister, Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown, told the court his client was not at risk of harming himself or the public and that his parents would drive him to work and his appointments. Magistrate Andrew Sinclair granted Mr Graupner bail on the conditions that he would not drive or consume alcohol and drugs. A brief of evidence was ordered for August 26 and both charges were adjourned. The matter is expected to return to Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 14.