Two fatal vehicle accidents in rural Victoria have highlighted a concerning surge in road fatalities across the state. The first incident occurred this morning in Kewell, located near Horsham in the north-western region, where a passenger tragically lost their life and the driver was taken to hospital for assessment.
Authorities indicated that the car was travelling on Henty Highway around 7:00 AM when it reportedly veered off course and rolled over. The deceased passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver is expected to be interviewed by police after their medical observation.
In a separate incident, police are looking into a suspected single-vehicle crash in Browns Plains, close to Wodonga. This collision took place shortly after 9:30 AM, near the junction of Chiltern-Howlong and Gooramadda roads, where the vehicle crashed into a tree. The driver, who has yet to be formally identified, also died at the scene.
These recent tragedies bring the total number of lives lost on Victoria’s roads this year to 132, marking an increase of over 11% compared to the same period last year.
Police officials are urging motorists to remain vigilant and drive cautiously, especially with the King’s Birthday long weekend approaching. Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham described the past three weeks on Victorian roads as chaotic, appealing for increased attention to road safety. He advised that if individuals are planning to drink, they should refrain from driving, avoid distractions, and allow ample time to reach their destinations safely.