A tragic head-on collision in South Australia has resulted in the death of a beloved grandfather, Darren Pollard, aged 59. Pollard was returning home from shopping near Cambrai in the Mid Murray region when his Toyota collided with a truck believed to be travelling north, also impacting a second vehicle. The accident caused extensive damage, scattering debris across a half-kilometre stretch of road.
Both the truck driver and the driver of the other car were airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for medical care. Premier Peter Malinauskas expressed the profound sadness surrounding the incident, highlighting that behind the statistics of road fatalities lie real lives and families affected by loss.
In heartfelt tributes, Pollard’s family described him as a kind and loving individual devoted to their well-being. His wife shared her despair, expressing her anger and grief over his untimely death, stating, “I’m really angry he’s been taken from me… My life is never going to be the same without you, Darren.”
The truck driver has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing harm by dangerous driving. In response, the driver’s employer, Australian Portable Camps, has stated that it will initiate an internal investigation into the circumstances of the crash.