A man has been charged after an alleged drunken forklift joyride led to the death of a Queensland fiance and father-to-be.

Brisbane man Joe Williams, 35, died in the incident in Middlemount near Rockhampton on July 24.

He left behind his partner, who gave birth to their daughter five days after his death.

On Thursday, police charged a 42-year-old Sarina man who was allegedly driving the forklift.

Police allege the man and fly-in, fly-out worker Williams were drinking in a work shed in Middlemount “when they decided to drive a forklift to a nearby sports club”.

“One man drove the large forklift whist the second man sat on the side of the cabin area,” Queensland police said.

“It will be alleged the driver continued to drink rum whilst heading west on Centenary Drive South.

“After approximately 600m, the forklift has left the roadway and rolled.”

Williams, the passenger, died at the scene.

The older man has been charged with driving without due care causing death and consuming liquor whilst driving.

He also stands accused of driving the forklift outside of conditional registration and driving it while Williams was travelling in part of vehicle not designed for carriage of persons.

He is set appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on October 5.

Williams’ partner, Casey Watters, previously told 7NEWS.com.au his death “changed my whole world, just like that”.

“He was so excited for this chapter and just ready to be a dad,” she said on August 7.

“He was just so excited for the birth of our little girl.

“He would tell anyone if he could and he didn’t even get to meet her. It’s just so sad.”

Watters declined to comment on the alleged driver’s charges.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support her family.