Man killed in Point Cook after being hit by passing car
A much-loved grandfather was driving down the Princes Freeway with his grandson when a tragic decision led to a horror crash yesterday. His family today paid tribute to a man with “a big heart”.
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A grandfather with a “big heart” is being remembered after he was hit and killed by a car in Point Cook yesterday.
Armando ‘Andrew’ Dalmazio, 54, was driving his white Alfa Romeo convertible along the Princes Freeway about 4.30pm on Thursday when he pulled into the emergency lane and got out, reportedly to fetch his hat which had blown off in the wind.
He was then struck and killed while his three-year-old grandson sat in the back seat.
His sister Fiona Wardrop remembered the “cheeky brother” she looked up to.
“He was a beautiful person, he’s got a big heart,” Ms Wardrop said of her brother.
“He loved his family. He was cheeky – always. Up until yesterday, he always had a sense of humour.”
“Me and him were very close (growing up), he was the brother I looked up to.
“He loved his motorbikes – he had a Harley.
“I remember being five or six and me and him would go for a ride on his motorbike. It’s just heartbreaking.”
Ms Wardrop, who lives in Sydney, said she did not believe the boy witnessed the crash.
She said the Italian-born family migrated from Italy to Sydney when Mr Dalmazio was a boy, before he made Melbourne home in the early 2000s.
Wyndham North Highway Patrol sergeant Marty Wallace said police were looking into the theory Mr Dalmazio was trying to retrieve a hat when he was struck.
“We don’t really know why he has crossed the road at this stage,” Sgt Wallace said. “That is one theory we’re looking at.
“Prior to the collision, he was standing beside a white Alfa Romeo vehicle in the emergency lane.
“He was actually on the running lanes. He had crossed two lanes, into the third lane.”
He said the man’s family was “doing it very difficult”.
“It’s a very out of the blue occurrence … Three-year-old grandson just out for a drive with his grandfather,” Sgt Wallace said.
He also pleaded with motorists to remain alert and use emergency lanes only when necessary.
“It’s a tragedy,” Sgt Wallace said.
“The person who has died yesterday has made a poor decision, hasn’t really thought the risks through.
“When you’re on the roads … you really need to be aware of what’s going on around you.”
He appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage to contact police.
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A hairdresser by trade, Mr Dalmazio moved to Victoria to be with his partner and her children and grandchildren who “he loved” like his own.
Mr Dalmazio’s family in Sydney and Naples are said to be “devastated” and “heartbroken” by the loss.
“He was a good bloke, he was a very good bloke,” Ms Wardrop said.
The 31-year-old driver of the second car involved, a Toyota Hilux ute, was not physically injured and is assisting police with inquiries.
Sgt Wallace said the driver stopped at the scene and attempted to assist.
He said there was nothing to suggest the 31-year-old was at fault at this point in the investigation.
The exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined at this stage.