Wantirna, Melbourne: Khoder Tawil and Cameron Dawson front court over alleged EastLink road rage

Two men charged over an alleged violent road rage incident that left a third person with critical injuries have fronted court.

Two men charged over an alleged violent road rage incident that left the driver of a third car in a critical condition and hospitalised four children have fronted court for the first time.

Khoder Tawil and Cameron Dawson, both 43, appeared in person in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday over the incident, which police allege began on the Melbourne EastLink in Wantirna South shortly before 5pm on Sunday before progressing onto High St, Stud Rd and then Burwood Highway.

Mr Tawil, from Mernda, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and driving through a red light.

Mernda man Khoder Tawil is charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and running a red light. Picture: Hugo Timms / NCA NewsWire.

Mr Dawson, from Mooroolbark, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and reckless conduct that placed another person at risk of serious injury.

According to charges released by the court, Mr Dawson is accused of “pursuing another vehicle at speed along Eastlink and Burwood Highway”, which forms the basis of his second charge.

Neither man entered a plea in Tuesday’s brief filing hearing.

Police said this week that both cars left the EastLink onto High St, turned onto Stud Rd and then to Burwood Highway.

Cameron Dawson is charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and reckless conduct that placed another person at risk of serious injury. Picture: Hugo Timms / NCA NewsWire.

Police allege Mr Tawil, who was driving a white Ford station wagon with four children as passengers, collided with a Toyota Rav4, which overturned on the median strip.

Royal Melbourne Hospital confirmed to NCA NewsWire on Thursday that the driver of the Rav4, a 52-year-old man, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The four children inside Mr Tawil’s car, aged five months to 17 years old, were taken to hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Magistrate Tara Hartnett adjourned the matter for a committal hearing in July.

Originally published as Wantirna, Melbourne: Khoder Tawil and Cameron Dawson front court over alleged EastLink road rage