Woman dead, passenger fights for life after serious collision in Melbourne’s east

Police allege a truck driver ran a red light in the moments before a woman was killed and her passenger seriously injured in a horror collision.

A truck driver allegedly ran a red light in the moments before a woman was killed in a serious collision in Melbourne’s east.

Police believe a truck and a van were travelling in opposite directions when they collided at the intersection of Manningham Rd and Bulleen Rd in Bulleen about 5.40am on Monday.

The 53-year-old driver of the van, a Bulleen woman, died at the scene and her passenger, a 63-year-old Tarneit woman, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The truck driver, a 28-year-old Wollert man, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A woman has died after a truck and a van collided in Melbourne. Picture: 7News

Detective Seargent Stephen Hill said investigators were still working to determine whether speed was a factor in the collision and would probe whether alcohol and drugs could have contributed to the crash.

Sergeant Hill said while police were doing their best to bring Victoria’s road toll down, drivers must take responsibility for their behaviour on the road.

“It really just becomes a case of drivers on our roads taking responsibility for their own driving behaviours and paying attention to the road rules, paying attention to signs,” he said, according to 7News.

“In some cases just … showing some courtesy to other drivers just so that we can prevent these types of collisions.”

The death comes as 167 lives have been lost on Victorian roads so far this year, three less than the same time last year.

Police continued their investigations into the crash on Monday. Picture: 7NEWS

Sergeant Hill said the truck driver would be interviewed later on Monday depending on his injuries.

Manningham Rd and Bulleen Rd are expected to remain closed in all directions for several hours as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Department of Transport and Planning is warning motorists to consider alternative routes as traffic delays continue.

“Drivers are encouraged to detour wide to avoid significant traffic congestion on surrounding roads including Manningham Rd, Banksia St, Templestowe Rd and Rosanna Rd onto Lower Heidelberg Rd,” an alert said.

“Motorists trying to reach the Eastern Freeway from the north should use Thompsons Rd, Doncaster Rd or Burke Rd. Those travelling between Heidelberg and Doncaster should detour via the freeway or use Doncaster and Burke roads.”

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Woman dead, passenger fights for life after serious collision in Melbourne’s east