Ash Oppermann remembered as ‘beautiful soul’ after tragic Kinglake Rd crash as community demands trucks be banned on ‘deadly’ road

A Heidelberg Heights father killed in a horror crash on Victoria’s “deadliest road” has been remembered as a loving dad as locals call for improved safety.

Tributes flow for Ash Oppermann, who was driving his blue Mercedes-Benz sedan home on Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd last week when he lost control, crashed into a tree and died on the scene. Picture: Supplied.

A Heidelberg man who lost his life on what has been dubbed the state’s “deadliest road” has been remembered as a respected concreter who would “light up” the room.

Ash Oppermann was driving his blue Mercedes-Benz sedan home on Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd last week when he lost control and crashed into a tree.

Despite paramedics’ efforts to resuscitate the 50-year-old, Mr Oppermann died at the scene.

His daughter Kiahna said her father was the “light of the room” and a “beautiful soul” with a “soft heart”.

“He was a lovely and very respected man. He had very good morals and was enjoyable to be around,” she said.

“Dad was just a beautiful man, he was a beautiful soul. He hated confrontation and wanted to help everyone.

Ash Oppermann was killed in a car crash on Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd. Picture: Supplied.

“He was a really good dad, he was hardworking — he was just your typical bloke.”

Ms Oppermann has called on authorities “to do better” and fix Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd, which is known as one of Victoria’s most dangerous roads.

In December last year, another person was killed at the same spot where Mr Oppermann died and on Thursday, another crash saw a man in his 60s taken to the Austin Hospital.

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Mr Oppermann’s daughter remembered him as a “beautiful soul”.

So many lives being lost on one road was unacceptable, Ms Oppermann said.

“Something needs to be done. Authorities need to stop wasting money on stupid stuff and focus on the things actually impacting people’s lives,” she said.

“Authorities need to do better.”

OPINION: I almost killed someone on one of our most dangerous roads … potholes aren’t a ‘down-the-road’ problem

A Kinglake resident, who wished not to be named, told the Herald Sun he was worried the six-week closure of the Melba Hwy would force motorists onto “windy, unfamiliar and dirt roads to get north and south of the Great Divide”.

The resident said locals were particularly concerned with this “unnecessary highway closure” which was “sprung on the region with little notice”.

“The Melba must be reopened immediately to avoid any more unnecessary road deaths or traumas,” he said.

Another resident said: “VicRoads, do something to make the roads safe before there is more (fatalities).”

The section of the Melba Hwy just south of Healesville-Kinglake Rd will be closed until the end of March 2025.

The reason for the closure is to repair two landslips on a section of the highway in Dixons Creek, approximately 2.5km south of the Healesville-Kinglake Rd intersection.

Ms Oppermann says “something needs to be done” about lives being lost on the road. Picture: Supplied.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson told The Herald Sun “any death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted”.

“We’ll work with Victoria Police to understand the circumstances and to provide support to the investigation where required,” they said.

It’s not the first time residents in the area have been upset about the road.

Ms Oppermann said she was unsure of the circumstances that led to her father’s death but urged authorities to ban trucks from travelling on Kinglake Rd.

“They need to find another route — so many people have died on that road,” she said.

A 2022 petition to the state government called for the banning of any vehicle over 4.5 tonnes from using the road.

The petition demanded authorities install flashing warning lights at the St Andrews and Kinglake townships and revoke permits for large vehicles, except for emergency situations like bushfires or accidents.

“This road is a narrow winding road with lanes currently below standard of 2.4m. The structure of the road is unstable with no safety barriers and many blind corners, making it extremely hazardous for all road users daily, including cyclists,” the petition stated.

“Along with multiple motorcycle fatalities, it has also been subject to numerous car vs. truck accidents. Currently all vehicles are sent via this route by GPS, resulting in truck drivers becoming stuck and fearful due to the narrow road.

“There is nowhere for truck drivers to turn off and therefore have to continue for 12kms, coming across motorists and cyclists who have, in most instances, had to stop, reverse, have hit the embankment or end up over the edge of an extremely steep embankment to allow the truck to pass.”

The Melba Hwy has had a history of bad potholes.

A GoFundMehas been launched to support Mr Oppermann’s daughter and wife, raising more than $3200 of its $10,000 target.

Ms Oppermann said the funds would go towards funeral costs and help them stay afloat.

“We appreciate every single dollar that has been donated — it means a lot,” she said.

“My mum does not work, and my dad didn’t have any estate or anything like that, so it’s really helpful.”