ASCOT VALE, VIC. — Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Ascot Vale on Saturday afternoon.
It is believed a grey Toyota mounted a kerb on Langs Road, Ascot Vale and struck two pedestrians attending the Supernova Comic Con just before 5pm.
“The crash occurred about 5pm on Saturday, after a grey Toyota Echo travelling along Langs Road in Ascot Vale veered onto the wrong side of the road, up onto the kerb and then drove directly down the footpath,” Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said.
Inspector McEvoy said the car struck a group of three men aged in their 20s, who were on their way home from the pop culture event being held at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Sadly, one of the pedestrians, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
The second pedestrian was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police arrested the male driver, who is currently under police guard in hospital, will be interviewed by police later.
The circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established.
“The driver was then arrested by an off-duty police officer, who was assisted by some members of the public,” he said on Saturday night.
Inspector McEvoy said the driver was a 33-year-old man from the Werribee area was “well known” to police, and the Toyota hatchback he was driving appeared to be a rental vehicle.
He said drugs, alcohol and speed would all form part of the investigation and that there was no early evidence the driver had suffered a medical episode.
“It’s extremely unusual that the car has travelled across an entire lane before getting up onto the footpath,” he said.
“The footpath is not in the same direction as he was travelling … so to get across the lane, up onto the footpath and then travel 120 metres along the footpath in between a 2-metre-high fence, trees and power poles, is extremely rare.”
An investigation remains ongoing.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
