News / Crime
Search for vehicle occupant after Sydney Road hit and run
‘Miracle’ no pedestrians were hit, say witnesses
Poppy Searle
POLICE are investigating a hit and run collision that occurred on Sydney Road in Brunswick on Saturday afternoon.
The incident took place near the Blyth Street intersection about 2.15pm when a stolen black Ford Ranger utility collided with a white Lexus which was stopped at a red light facing south and then ricocheted onto a parked grey Mercedes.
Witnesses reported seeing a man and woman leave the utility and flee the scene on foot. Shortly afterwards, police officers apprehended a 21-year-old woman from Nathalia.
The man involved was last seen heading south on Victoria Street. Witnesses say that he was carrying a knife.
Officers attended the scene from the nearby Brunswick fire station, and the female driver of the Lexus received medical treatment at the scene for minor injuries.
The collision caused disruption to tram services in Sydney Road for about an hour until the cars could be moved and the scene could be cleared.
A witness, Marie Laliotis, said she saw the utility driving down Sydney Road at an estimated 80kmh on the wrong side of the road shortly before the collision.
Another bystander who also saw the utility speeding down Sydney Road before the crash described the situation as a “miracle” that no one was killed.
“A large vehicle going at such a speed in an unsafe manner is a death trap,” the witness said. “Any pedestrian who had crossed onto the road at that time would likely not have survived. I think all of us who saw what happened are just extremely grateful that fate rolled the dice for a different result on this occasion.”
It is understood that the utility involved in the accident was stolen from the Bendigo suburb of Epsom on January 9. The owner of the vehicle said he was “absolutely devastated” by the situation but was relieved no-one had been seriously injured.
The investigation into the hit-run is ongoing. Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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