By LAURA WAKELY
A DRIVER was killed after colliding with a truck in Tullamarine a short time after a police pursuit.
The driver of a black Mitsubishi Magna station wagon hit a truck at the intersection of Lambeck Drive and Annandale Road at around 9.25am last Monday.
The man, believed to be in his 30s, was trapped in his car for up to 30 minutes as emergency crews worked to free him.
He was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital, where he died of serious injuries sustained in the crash.
Police believe the man was involved in a police pursuit on Lancefield Rd in Bulla at around 9.10am that morning.
Police members called off the pursuit after five minutes for safety reasons, as the driver was speeding and driving erratically, at times on the wrong side of the road.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said he was satisfied with the behaviour and actions of police involved in the pursuit.
He said the truck driver, who was shaken but uninjured in the collision, was probably unaware of the oncoming car.
“What runs through my mind when I see a collision like that is the impact it has on not just the driver concerned but on the drivers family, on the police members and the emergency services that have had to attend this scene and the broader community,” Assistant Commissioner Crisp said.
“Road trauma, as everyone knows, is something Victoria Police is focused on reducing across the state. So, for me, this is a terrible situation.”
The Major Collision Investigation Unit is investigating the incident with oversight by the Ethical Standards Department.
They are also investigating whether or not the driver was involved in a minor crash on South Centre Rd before his collision with the truck.
Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collisions or the vehicle travelling in the area prior to the crash.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au
