2 months ago
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A driver has recounted the “scary” moment a speeding car crashed into her vehicle in Melbourne’s west last night, in a three-car collision which claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy.
Investigators have been told a blue Honda CRV carrying five people collided with two other vehicles on Hopkins Road in Truganina while overtaking about 9.15pm.
A 17-year-old boy died in the Truganina crash.Credit: Nine News
A 17-year-old Kurunjang boy who was a passenger in the Honda died at the scene.
The three other passengers in the Honda, all boys in their teens, were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The 18-year-old driver from Williams Landing received minor injuries.
The 23-year-old driver of the second vehicle, and the 18-year-old driver and 18-year-old passenger from the third vehicle, were all taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Marina Ivanovska, 18, said she was driving with her cousin when the Honda smashed into her while passing another car, which she described as a “scary experience”.
“[The Honda ended up] rolling over and ending up in the ditch just metres away from where they hit my car,” she told this masthead.
The front of Ivanovska’s car was left mangled, and she and her cousin were both treated in hospital for their injuries.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said the Honda driver – who was on his red P plates – was carrying more passengers in the car than allowed as a probationary driver.
“It appears as though the car was overtaking another car and misjudged that while speeding, and as a result of that decision a young person has lost their life,” he said.
“It just shows the fragility of human life, and how that one act in itself might not represent an extreme or outrageous behaviour, but it has had catastrophic effects.”
Three cars were involved in the collision.Credit: Nine News
The section of Hopkins Road where the crash occurred has a speed limit of 80 km/h. No one has been arrested or charged over the incident.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said investigations into the exact circumstances were ongoing, but police wanted to speak to anyone in the Truganina area just before the crash.
On Friday the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) launched its new campaign urging drivers not to speed or drive while intoxicated his holiday season.
Speeding contributes to around 30 per cent of fatal crashes in Victoria, while drink-driving is a factor in one in five road deaths.
The two new television ads – which will also appear on social media – show the catastrophic and often grotesque consequences of high-speed crashes and collisions where alcohol is involved.
TAC’s head of road safety, Samantha Cockfield, said she hoped the “hard-hitting approach” of the new campaign would shock viewers into making good choices over the summer holidays.
“It shows the absolutely dreadful consequences of making a poor choice, not only on yourself, but possibly on your family or friends,” she said.
In Victoria, 271 people have lost their lives on the road this year, down slightly from the 274 lives lost at the same time in 2024.
Weir said young, distracted drivers were not the only cause of this year’s significant road toll, but their inexperience often did “exacerbate” the seriousness of the collisions they were involved in.
“We are seeing a cohort of entitled, arrogant, reckless drivers on Victorian roads, and that is across all age brackets,” he said. “I’m constantly amazed at some of the people that we detect for a whole range of offences that are people who are old enough to know better.”
Anyone who witnessed the Truganina collision, with CCTV/dashcam or other footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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