Tragic update on out-of-control car driven by 91-year-old woman which ploughed into pedestrians
A grandfather has died after a silver Toyota Yaris smashed into his family while they were walking along the footpath in Melbourne’s east.
The car, which was driven by a 91-year-old woman, mounted the kerb near a playground on Coleman Road in Wantirna South about 12.20pm on Thursday.
Three members of the same family – a 59-year-old grandmother, her 60-year-old partner, and their two-year-old grandson – were walking in the same direction as the car when they were struck from behind.
The grandmother, who was a local resident, died at the scene.
The grandfather had been transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries but Victoria Police confirmed on Friday evening that he had died.
Their young grandson was rushed to The Royal Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The reserve and damaged park bench where the car ended up were cordoned off on Friday, while several bouquets of flowers were laid on the nearby footpath.
The ‘terribly shaken’ elderly driver escaped with minor scratches and was taken to hospital for assessment and blood testing.
A grandfather, 60, has died two days after his family were hit by an out-of-control car
His partner, who was 59-year-old, died at the scene after the tragic crash
Police said the 91-year-old is yet to be interviewed.
The investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the collision remains ongoing.
It is understood the driver collided with a street sign and struck the pedestrians before her car ploughed through a fence and came to a stop near the playground.
‘It came from behind,’ Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said.
‘It looks like it has lost control about 40m or 50m before the collision with the people who were walking on the other side of that road.
‘No one was hit at the park thankfully.’
A local resident told Sunrise on Friday that lollies and pieces of orange were scattered across her front yard following the collision, along with debris from the crash.
Supt Goldsmith said it was too early to say whether the driver had suffered a medical episode when she lost control.
The car finally came to a stop metres away from a children’s playground
Crash investigators will examine whether speed was a contributing factor.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
‘That will be subject to the investigation, but it is a downhill section of road, so if there has been a lack of control to some degree there is a possibility the car would have picked up speed as it’s driven further down Coleman Road,’ Supt Goldsmith said.
It comes after CCTV emerged of the out-of-control car travelling along Coleman Road moments before the collision.
The footage also showed a couple pushing a pram along a footpath. It is unclear if the group was the same trio who were hit.
The crash happened during the first week of the Victorian school holidays and brought the state’s road toll to 14 lives lost in the last seven days.
‘We’re facing a horrific month for road trauma,’ Supt Goldsmith said.
‘We’ve lost so many lives and had so many life-threatening injuries over the course of last week (and it) is completely horrific and unacceptable.’
