The 47-year-old married driver from Lowood, near Ipswich, was thrown from the cab of his vehicle after it smashed into a guardrail and rolled on the southbound lanes of the road at Eagle Farm.
The truck, which was coming from Bowen and headed for the Rocklea Markets, skidded on its roof, crushing the cab and splitting open the tandem trailers.
Pallets of pumpkins and boxes of capsicums were strewn over the roadway.
Police want to speak with anyone who might have also seen the alleged incident.
They also plan to examine footage from traffic cameras along the road and at the Gateway Bridge toll booth.
Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson earlier said if the theft claim was correct, it was a “poor act”.

He said if evidence was found that supported the claim and led to a suspect, that person could be charged with stealing.
“On the face of it, it is a despicable act, particularly if assistance was required,” he said.
RACQ spokesman Gary Fites said if the claim was proven true, he hoped the incident was a rare and disappointing exception to the way most Queensland motorists look out for each other.
“If it is true, it is pretty callous. It surprises me,” he said.
“Everyone has a duty to render assistance to injured motorists until help arrives.”
Investigators are yet to determine the cause of the crash, which occurred in an area where extensive roadworks are under way as part of the Gateway road and bridge duplication.
Police said it appeared the truck failed to take a bend.
They are investigating whether fatigue or speed were involved.
Transport Workers Union Queensland secretary Hughie Williams questioned whether the Gateway in its current state was suitable for such B-double semi-trailers.
Yesterday’s accident, which closed parts of the motorway for most of yesterday, was the latest in a string of recent truck incidents on the road.
“I think it is OK for prime-movers but perhaps drivers of B-doubles should take a different route,” Mr Williams said.
- with AAP

Anna Caldwell, James O’Loan and Peter Michael

January 02, 2009 11:00pm

Train drivers approach at least six intersections between Cairns and Mackay with dread because of a dangerous lack of visibility.

The site of Thursday’s fatality where a garbage truck driver was killed at Mundoo, south of Innisfail is one, as is the site of November’s double train driver fatality at the Conn crossing near Cardwell.

The others are at Saunders Beach, near Townsville; Balgal Beach, near Bluewater; Rungoo Crossing, near Cardwell; and Bootooloo, at Bowen.

Les Moffitt, a representative of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union said the six intersections hadn’t been prioritised..

“This list isn’t exhaustive and some of these may not even make the final cut – these are the crossings we have identified so far,” Mr Moffitt said.

“It is tragic we’ve had the three (recent) fatalities, but the number of near misses that have never been publicised would stun most people.”

One QR driver who has driven the Townsville-Cairns route for 10 years said he felt dread every time he approached the death trap crossings.

“You are always triple aware when you approach those intersections,” the man, who can’t be identified, said.

The $10 million for upgrades comes from QR’s existing budget and will not be allocated until the taskforce reports in the next few weeks.

Transport Minister John Mickel said he would not pre-empt where or how the money should be spent and would wait to hear what the taskforce had recommended.