Top cop, mum killed in horrific three-car crash

One of South Australia’s most senior female police officers has been killed in a three-car crash alongside another mother.

The South Australian Police force has paid tribute to Detective Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan who was one of two women killed in the horrific collision on Saturday.

Det Chief Supt Shanahan was driving with her husband Peter, a retired police officer, when the tragedy occurred at the intersection of Cross and Fullarton Roads in the Adelaide suburb of Urrbrae about 1.40pm.

Mother-of-one Tania McNeill, was driving alone at the time of the crash and too died at the scene.

Det Chief Supt Shanahan has been described as a “beautiful person” with a “wealth of knowledge” by her SA Police colleagues.

“Joanne joined SAPOL in 1981 and was a highly respected member of SAPOL,” SA Police said in a statement.

In 2002, she was promoted to the rank of Inspector and worked in many areas over the span of her career from CIB, specialist crime areas and domestic violence.

“Detective Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan leaves an overwhelming footprint on SAPOL having received the Australian Police Medal in 2019 for her outstanding service to the organisation and to the community of South Australia,” the statement said.

Most recently, Det Chief Supt Shanahan took on a leadership role in the state police’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Her husband Peter was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and his since been released.

Det Chief Supt Shanahan leaves behind two adult sons.

SA Police also released a statement from Ms McNeill’s family, who is being remembered as a “a loving vibrant lady who enjoyed a good laugh”.

“She was a kind and loving mother, wife, daughter and sister who would do anything for anyone,” the family’s statement said.

“She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Tania worked extremely hard in her day job as well and helping out with the family business.”

A 20-year-old man who was driving the third car involved in the collision was also taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and he remains in hospital police said in a statement.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who can assist in the investigation and have not already spoken with police to come forward.

It follows the deaths of four police officers, who were struck by a truck while dealing with Porsche driver Richard Pusey in the emergency lane of a freeway in Victoria last Wednesday.

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