Guilherme Dal Bo’ appears in Maroochydore court as police warn one attempted murder charge may be upgraded

A man accused of deliberately driving into a group of pedestrians on the Sunshine Coast has appeared in court, where prosecutors revealed one of the attempted murder charges was expected to be upgraded. Guilherme Dal Bo’ appeared via video link in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday charged with eight counts of attempted murder following the alleged hit-and-run at Maroochydore on Saturday night. Appearing from custody on remand, Mr Dal Bo’ wore prison greens, with long hair falling to the top of his shoulders. The court was told he was Italian and Brazilian and lived in Maroochydore. Police allege a Toyota Yaris struck eight pedestrians near the intersection of Aerodrome Rd and Fourth Ave after what they described as a brief confrontation at a pedestrian crossing minutes earlier. Investigators said the 38-year-old driver was involved in a “minor” interaction with a group of men before leaving the area and then returning. Eight people, six men and two women, who police said were walking nearby, were allegedly hit when the vehicle mounted the footpath. A 24-year-old woman from NSW, who was visiting family, suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where she was last reported to be in a critical condition. Three teenagers were taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with minor injuries and later released. Detective Acting Inspector Peter Hocken said the initial interaction was insignificant. “It was minor in nature,” Inspector Hocken said on Sunday. “It was just a traffic incident. The males were crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing, and the male driver took offence to that and got out and challenged the males.” Police allege Mr Dal Bo’ left the scene before returning and intentionally driving at the pedestrians. Officers later located him at his Maroochydore unit a short time after the incident. Inspector Hocken described the alleged events as “unbelievable”, particularly given one of the most seriously injured people was not involved in the earlier interaction. “This is a tragedy, it’s terrible what’s happened to this poor woman and her family before Christmas. It’s inconceivable,” he said. During Monday’s court appearance, defence lawyer Mathew Cuskelly appeared by phone and sought an adjournment to take instructions from his client, including whether a bail application would be made. Police prosecutor Senior Constable Simon Evans then made a shock announcement to the court. “(It’s) anticipated that one of the charges may be upgraded,” Constable Evans said. The matter was adjourned until Friday, the final day of sittings for the year, when Mr Dal Bo’ is expected to again appear via video link, potentially for a bail application.