# Tasmania Crime Watch: This Week’s Roundup (31 August – 7 September 2026)
A grim week for Tasmania, headlined by a devastating triple-fatality crash in the north and a disturbing alleged murder in the state’s south. Here’s a rundown of the key crime and public safety stories making headlines around Tasmania this week.
## Three dead in Bass Highway horror crash
The week’s most tragic incident occurred on Friday afternoon when a white Chery station wagon and a white Isuzu D-MAX towing a trailer collided head-on on the Bass Highway near the Gannons Hill Road intersection at Elizabeth Town. Two 19-year-old women travelling in the Chery were declared dead at the scene, along with a 51-year-old man riding in the rear seat of the D-MAX. Two other men in their 40s from the ute remain in critical condition — one airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital, the other taken to Launceston General Hospital. The highway was closed in both directions for several hours while police conducted a crash investigation, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
## Huonville man charged with mother’s murder
In one of the more disturbing cases of the week, a 55-year-old Huonville man was charged with murder after his 85-year-old mother was found dead in her bed at their Stride Street home in the early hours of Sunday, 30 August. Police allege the woman was smothered by her son, who had reportedly cared for her for a number of years. A second son who was home at the time is not believed to be involved. Detectives noted the case falls outside Tasmania’s legal definition of family violence, since the relevant legislation doesn’t currently recognise parent–adult child relationships within its definition.
## Moonah carjacking at knifepoint
A man was taken into custody after allegedly threatening another man with a knife and stealing his silver Toyota Camry on Main Road, Moonah, on Tuesday evening. He now faces charges of aggravated carjacking, evading police, and other stealing and traffic offences.
## Bridport evade incident
A 42-year-old disqualified driver was arrested after allegedly evading police during an attempted traffic intercept in Bridport, before fleeing into a licensed premises and then a nearby residential property. Police from Bridport and George Town made the arrest.
## Serious crash at Edgcumbe Beach
Police are investigating a crash on the Bass Highway at Edgcumbe Beach in the state’s North West, where a white Volvo truck and a white Holden Captiva collided. The woman driving the Captiva was taken to the North West Regional Hospital.
## North Hobart hooning crackdown
Following a series of hooning incidents reported in North Hobart, police clamped a teal Holden Kingswood and a black Ford Falcon for 28 days, while a yellow Holden Monaro and another vehicle were seized entirely. Acting Inspector Nick Bowden from Southern Road Policing Services confirmed the crackdown targeted drivers involved in the incidents.
## Ulverstone speeding P-plater
Officers from Western Road Policing Services detected a P-plate driver travelling 27km/h over the 100km/h limit near Ulverstone this week, a reminder that road policing operations have continued in parallel with the more serious incidents above.
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*This roundup is based on Tasmania Police media releases and ABC News Tasmania coverage. Anyone with information relating to any of these matters is encouraged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously on 1800 333 000.*
