A 24-year-old Sydenham man is in an induced coma with life-threatening injuries after a hit and run in Deer Park last week.
The man was driving on Tilburn Rd at around 7.55pm on Saturday 3 September when a vehicle travelling on the wrong side of the road hit the man’s car head-on.
The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene, while the Sydenham man had to be taken to The Alfred hospital.
Police arrested 31-year-old James Michael Smith, of no fixed address and charged him with dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop and failing to render assistance.
Police have also charged a 23-year-old Preston woman with a number of hit-run related offences including aiding and abetting.
Police were also called to investigate a road accident in nearby Melton South last week, when a truck ran over a five-year-old boy.
Investigators believe the driver of the Hino truck was reversing on Tamar Drive when he hit the boy at about 5.50pm on Monday 5 September.
Paramedics couldn’t save the boy, who died at the scene.
The driver of the truck has assisted police with inquiries.