Richard Zoltan Babos, 36, has been charged with a string of offences including murder after bystanders stepped in and finally ended his alleged crime spree north of Brisbane.
Babos is accused of fatally striking a 78-year-old man during a number of random attacks spanning barely an hour near Bundaberg that left two others in the hospital.
It left the Childers community reeling as police launched an investigation, triggering welfare support for locals affected by the tragedy on Thursday.
"It is a pretty horrendous situation," Chief Inspector Grant Marcus told reporters.
Babos is accused of beginning his spree about 1.45pm on Wednesday.
He allegedly deliberately reversed a silver Subaru Liberty sedan into a Tesla on the Bruce Highway in Glenorchy before verbally abusing the driver and speeding away.
Shortly after in nearby Childers, Babos allegedly reversed his car into a Mitsubishi Pajero before getting out and punching a 65-year-old man multiple times in the head and then fleeing.
The 65-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious head injuries.
A few minutes later at 2.38pm, Babos stopped again and allegedly attacked the 78-year-old man walking along Whitebridge Road in nearby North Isis.
Babos allegedly punched the older man in the head before hitting him with a metal pole and again fleeing.
The pedestrian was left with critical injuries and died at the scene.
At 2.53pm, Babos then allegedly drove back to Childers and assaulted a 66-year-old man before bystanders stepped in.
Media reports said Babos had choked the 66-year-old with a garden hose before good Samaritans arrived.
"Members of the public assessed the situation and determined that it was safe to contain the matter until police arrived," Detective Acting Inspector Anthony Green told reporters on Thursday.
Officers arrested Babos a short time later and the 66-year-old was taken to hospital with neck injuries.
The victims are not believed to have known Babos.
Support was being thrown behind the Childers community on Thursday as locals tried to comprehend the tragedy.
"We will be going out ... to actually do doorknocks, talk to those involved, to the neighbours and witnesses and other family members and offer opportunities of support and to make sure that they're feeling okay," Chief Inspector Marcus said.
"This is a really important step."
Anyone who witnessed a grey silver Subaru driving erratically or were travelling between the Sunshine Coast and Childers between 11am and 3pm on Wednesday has been asked to contact police.
Babos was charged with murder, attempted murder, acts intended to maim/disfigure/disable, dangerous operation of a vehicle and evasion.
His matter appeared in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Thursday.
He was remanded in custody, with his matter adjourned to Bundaberg Magistrates Court on August 22.
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