Zac Del Tondo: Driver in fatal South Morang car crash named as Eltham teenager

The driver killed in a horrific crash in South Morang has been remembered as a happy teenager who made everyone smile.

The driver killed in a horrific crash in South Morang has been remembered as a happy teenager who made everyone smile.

Zac Del Tondo, 18, of Eltham crashed into a power pole in a horrific, high speed crash on Plenty Rd in the early hours of Sunday.

A police spokesman said he died in hospital late on Monday after succumbing to his critical injuries.

In an online tribute, a friend said: “Rest In Peace Zac. You will forever be missed brother. Thank you for putting smiles on so many peoples faces. It was never a dull moment with you around.”

The crash also killed Zac’s cousin, front seat passenger Christian Del Tondo, who could not be revived after he was pulled from the wrecked Ford Falcon.

A car was torn in two at a fatal crash on Plenty Rd South Morang on Sunday July 4. Picture: David Crosling

The back seat passenger and sole survivor of the crash was thrown from the car when it careened out of control and slammed into a power pole, ripping it in half.

The survivor, an 18-year-old from Mernda, played junior footy with the South Morang Lions.

Leader has chosen not to identify the survivor, with a close friend saying he fears he will never get over the trauma of surviving the crash that killed two of his closest friends.

Two people died in the fatal crash on Plenty Rd. Picture: David Crosling

South Morang Football Club senior president Chris Donnelly said: “We are very close knit group. (The player) is very well liked in the club.

“Christian was his best mate … and a very good friend of the club, he will be sadly missed.”

Christian Del Tondo had played junior footy at the club

Christian Del Tondo and his cousin Zac Del Tondo both died in a horrific crash on Plenty Rd.

“It is just a tragic incident, I know some of the parents have now had some discussions with their kids (about road safety) … it is a reminder (for the kids) to consider their actions on the roads.

“The community has been hit really hard by it, we are providing support to any of our players who knew the boys.”

A police investigation into the crash remains ongoing, but the Good Samaritans who stopped to help the trio out of the wreckage have told police the car was doing more than 150km/h when it hit the power pole.