Man dead, another arrested after crash between car and suspected stolen truck on Ballarat Rd, Footscray

A man who was allegedly driving a stolen truck that ploughed into a car and killed a 67-year-old man in Footscray was on bail at the time of the fatal smash.

A man is dead after a crash between car and suspected stolen truck on Ballarat Rd, Footscray. Picture: Amelia Swan

A small floral tribute has been placed at the base of the tree where a 67-year-old Taylors Hill man was found dead following a horror smash on Monday morning.

Police on Tuesday were still waiting to interview the alleged driver of the truck involved in the fatal smash, who was out on bail at the time of the collision on Ballarat Rd in Footscray.

The 40-year-old Deer Park man remains under police guard in a stable condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Victoria’s top road cop said the horrific early morning crash in Footscray had left him “sick in the stomach” while the police association said the release of repeat alleged offenders was endangering motorists.

A floral tribute left at the scene of the horror Footscray crash. Picture: Fergus Ellis

Officers in police cars and the Air Wing had tried to catch the allegedly stolen truck for half an hour on Monday morning as it raced through Melbourne’s west, running red lights and speeding on the wrong side of the road.

Stop sticks were thrown down twice during the pursuit but it is unclear whether either attempt slowed the truck down.

Police and fire crews at the scene on Monday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The allegedly stolen truck first came to police attention at about 2.30am on Monday when it was spotted driving erratically in Beveridge.

The Nissan truck – believed to be stolen several days ago – was then involved in another collision on Hopkins Rd in Truganina about 3.15am.

A little over an hour later, at 4.30am in Footscray, the truck ran a red light and crashed into a 2011 Toyota Corolla killing the driver instantly.

The speed the truck was travelling when it hit the victim remains unclear, but they were struck with such force that the Corolla was pushed up to 80m before being slammed into a tree.

The crash happened about 4.30am Monday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The driver of the Toyota was a 67-year-old Taylors Hill man.

Police said on Monday they were not actively pursuing the truck when it struck the man.

A 40-year-old Deer Park man, who police allege was driving the truck, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

It was later revealed he was on bail for previous car theft and drug possession crimes and was due to face court in February after police charged him with another car theft, unlicensed driving and possessing drugs in November.

The driver of a Corolla died at the scene. Picture: Amelia Swan

Ballarat Road, Footscray closed to traffic in both directions between Geelong Road and Epsom Road due to a serious collision. Moore Street also closed between Ballarat Road and Hopkins Street. Significant delays are expected through the morning peak. Avoid the area. #victrafficpic.twitter.com/5KM5GFf7UG

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) January 5, 2025

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said the truck driver’s reckless behaviour and out-of-control driving had led to a complete “waste of human life”.

“It’s an absolute tragedy,” Mr Weir said.

“When you think about those rings that keep you awake at night, this is one of the things that keeps me awake at night.

“It makes you sick in the stomach.

“It is such a waste of human life … the general community should be outraged.”

A spokesperson for The Police Association Victoria said the alleged offender should never have had access to the road.

“The release of offenders involved in police pursuits on bail has been a significant factor that has elevated the risk and in our opinion frequency of pursuits and pursuit related incidents,” they said.

“Theft of motor vehicles, aggravated burglaries, both of which often culminate in pursuits, regularly involve offenders on bail.

“It is not uncommon for offenders to be on bail for similar offending while committing further and similar crimes.

“It is hard to imagine why anyone involved in such high-risk offending to evade arrest would qualify for bail to attend court at a later time.”

TPAV also said financial restraints were limiting police ability in pursuits and that they were a “difficult balancing act” for police.

“Police pursuits are difficult for police who must dynamically balance the ongoing and potential risk of pursuing a vehicle with the residual risk that doing nothing has on the immediate and long-term safety of the community.”

Victoria Police’s Professional Standards Command will be involved in the investigation because the man died while police were following the truck at the time of the crash.

The driver remained in hospital on Monday night under police guard.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or with footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Man dead, another arrested after crash between car and suspected stolen truck on Ballarat Rd, Footscray