Police officer dies in East Gippsland crash during memorial bike ride
A 21-year-old has been charged over the death of a senior police officer who was killed in a crash during a memorial motorcycle ride for fallen cops. Victoria Police’s top brass says his death has “struck at the heart” of the force.
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A 21-year-old has been charged over the death of a senior policeman killed during a charity motorcycle ride with his son.
Detective Sen-Sgt Vic Kostiuk, 59, was taking part in the Wall to Wall Ride to remember fallen officers when a car veered across the road and struck his bike near Orbost on Friday.
His son — also a detective — was riding alongside his father when the tragedy unfolded.
Major Collision Investigation Unit officers last night charged a Botanic Ridge man with one count of culpable driving and remanded him in custody.
They alleged he was travelling west along the Princes Highway at Mount Raymond Regional Park when his car veered onto the opposite side of the road about 2.20pm, striking Detective Sen-Sgt Kostiuk’s motorcycle.
Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the loss of Det Sen-Sgt Vic Kostiuk, who served the community for almost 40 years, had “struck at the heart” of the force.
The respected officer’s wife is a retired police member.
“We’ve lost one of our friends, someone who has committed forty years of his life to serving the community,” Mr Patton said.
“It’s confronting for me — I’m grieving as is every other member of the police force.
“He was in the motorcade I waved off yesterday and my last words to him were “travel safe”.
“It is a tremendous loss to the community.”
Police said Det Sen-Sgt Kostiuk and his son left with a group of riders ahead of the main pack when the collision occurred at Cabbage Tree Creek on the Princes Hwy near Tower Rd around 2.20pm.
A 21-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remained in custody. He sustained minor injuries and was expected to be interviewed by Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives later today.
Sadly, one of our own has died in a fatal collision near Orbost this afternoon. The current serving Victoria Police officer was taking part in the Wall to Wall motorbike ride. Further information will be provided when we’re in a position to do so. More → https://t.co/49In2kzCAD pic.twitter.com/FCMGaKADcv
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) September 14, 2018
The Wall to Wall charity ride, which left Melbourne on Friday morning, was halted temporarily after the crash before a decision was made to continue.
Around 300 riders were expected to arrive at the National Police Memorial in Canberra later today.
Det Sen-Sgt Kostiuk served in the Homicide Squad, Crime Investigations Unit and spent the last seven years working in the family violence unit at Frankston.
The decorated officer had recently regained the title of detective, a decision Mr Patton said had left the senior sergeant “chuffed”.
Devastated colleagues said they were struggling to comprehend what had occurred.
Supt David Watt, a former manager and friend, said: “Noone would have a bad word to say about him and we are all devastated by the loss.”
“I just saw Vic the other day. He was dressed in a suit and looked immaculate. In fact, he looked like a million dollars and was smiling from ear to ear.”
Supt Paul Hollowood said Det Sen-Sgt Kostiuk was highly respected at all levels of the force.
“Even the most senior people trusted him and sought out his guidance,’’ he said.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of a much loved and respected member of ours, during an event to commemorate lost colleagues.”
“The Police Association will offer its full support to the member’s family and colleagues.”
Friday’s death comes after two police officers were injured during the ride last year, when their motorbikes veered into each other on the Monash Fwy.
One of the officers was uninjured while the other, a man in his 50s, was taken to The Alfred hospital with minor leg and shoulder injuries.
Acting Superintendent John Felton said the ride was an important event.
“The ride is one way we can let families of those passed know that they are not forgotten and that they will always be a part of the police family,” he said ahead of the event.
“It’s important for us to be able to get together and remember our colleagues who died serving our community.”
People can donate to the ride’s fundraising page, with all money going to police legacy groups.
The officer was one of four people killed in a horror 24 hours on Victorian roads.
A 31-year-old man was killed when his car struck a tree at Hedley in South Gippsland while a 65-year-old man was killed at Highlands east of Seymour.
A 77-year-old woman was killed in another tragedy when her car struck another in Mansfield.