‘Caring, dedicated’: Tributes for woman allegedly mowed down on footpath

A woman who died days after she was allegedly mowed down alongside seven other pedestrians is being remembered as beautiful and caring, as police expect to upgrade the driver’s charges.

Mallee Smith, 24, was on a surprise visit from her NSW home to her family when she was struck by a car at Maroochydore, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, on Saturday night.

Guilherme Dal Bo, a 38-year-old tourist from Brazil, is accused of driving his Toyota Yaris into Smith and seven other pedestrians.

Police said the crash happened after a minor altercation with six male pedestrians, who were not with Smith, on Aerodrome Road near Fourth Avenue about 11.55pm.

Dal Bo allegedly fled the scene and was arrested at an Alexandra Parade address.

Smith, from Broulee on the south coast of NSW, most recently worked for Shellharbour City Council as a community insights planner.

“Mallee Smith was a dedicated and caring team member who strived to improve the quality of life of the community she served,” a council spokeswoman said.

“Her sudden passing has shocked her close-knit team, as well as our staff.

“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Smith had previously been a research assistant at the University of Wollongong, and was a 2024 New Colombo Plan Fellow, living in Fiji for several months. She studied a bachelor of sustainable communities, and completed a bachelor of science with honours last year.

She also held a position as an infrastructure support officer for the Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Pruee Nye Smith offered her condolences to Smith’s family and friends.

“Mallee, you were such a lovely and beautiful girl in school,” she wrote online. “You will be missed dearly, RIP.”

Detective Acting Inspector Peter Hocken earlier this week said Smith was visiting from NSW to see family members, and only meant to be there for a couple of days.

Police will allege Dal Bo was involved in a minor verbal altercation with the group of male pedestrians while driving.

He then allegedly drove off, before circling back, mounting the kerb, and hitting two women and six men head-on. Three people, including two 18-year-old men and a 19-year-old man, were also treated for injuries at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Smith and the other female pedestrian were not known to the group of men, police said, and were unaware of the altercation.

“She was minding her own business walking along the side of the road when she was struck by this vehicle,” Hocken said.

Dal Bo, who also has Italian and Australian nationality, faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday on attempted murder charges. His case was adjourned to Friday.

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