Cobden-Terang Rd crash: Warrnambool man killed, two injured after car explodes

A 19-year-old behind the wheel during a devastating crash at Terang that claimed a young man’s life has faced court.

Warrnambool’s Adrian Phipps, 23, died when he became trapped inside a white Jeep Cherokee which burst into flames after it hit a tree in Terang about 1.20am on Saturday.

A Corangamite woman has faced court after being charged with culpable driving following a fiery car crash at Terang that claimed a young man’s life.

Dixie woman Courtney Mitcham, 19, faced Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on Monday where police alleged her driving caused the death of 23-year-old Adrian Phipps – one of two passengers in the white Jeep Cherokee that crashed on Cobden-Terang Rd on Saturday.

Ms Mitcham was remanded to appear in court again on November 25. Bail was refused.

Police allege the Jeep was travelling south when it left the road and crashed into a tree about 1.15am.

The driver and a female passenger managed to free themselves from the car before it burst into flames.

Mr Phipps was unable to escape from the burning car and died at the scene.

The female passenger – a 21-year-old Warrnambool woman – was taken to South West Health’s Warrnambool hospital with serious injuries.

The driver was taken to the same hospital under police guard and was on Sunday charged with culpable driving causing death and drive while suspended.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said both women were in a stable condition, with one suffering a wrist injury and another suffering lacerations.

Online tributes described Mr Phipps as “kind and caring friend”.

Rosie Dowling told her friend to “fly high” and wrote on her Facebook page that he would “forever be missed”.

Anna Borthwick told members of Warrnambool youth theatre group Holiday Actors that she had spent time with his parents Jane and Doug in the hours following the tragedy.

“Adrian (Phipps) was sadly killed in car accident this morning and will be missed terribly,” Ms Bothwick told the Facebook group.

“We have spent some time with Jane and Doug this morning and they are incredibly thankful for all your thoughts and prayers.”

The death takes Victoria’s road toll to 142 people this year, 17 more than at the same time in 2021.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the state’s west, another woman was hospitalised after she was attacked by an animal near Ballarat on Friday about 4.20pm.

Paramedics responded to reports of the attack involving the animal, believed to be a kangaroo, on Cartons Rd in Gordon.

The woman in her 40s was taken to Ballarat Hospital in a stable condition.