Hoon on run after two people killed in Western Ring Road fiery crash
A HUNTED driver who “baited” motorists along the Western Ring Rd moments before a fiery crash that killed two teens is believed to have made an emergency call before fleeing.
VIC News
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A HUNTED driver who “baited” motorists along the Western Ring Rd moments before a fiery crash that killed two teens is believed to have made an emergency call before fleeing.
The Herald Sun has been told the driver, who was in a silver Ford with a passenger, is resisting handing himself in.
Some in the street skids scene are believed to know his identity and have urged him to come forward.
It follows the deaths of Harley Churchill and Ivana Clonaridis when the ute they were in plummeted off the EJ Whitten Bridge at Keilor East early on Wednesday.
A source told the Herald Sun: “(The mystery driver) got into the race with it (the ute) and he stopped, rang police and then took off because he didn’t know what to do.
“There are some people in it (the street skids scene) that are real scum and then there are some people that are real nice, they are real friendly people,’’ the source said.
“This guy, unfortunately, falls under the real scum part.
“He won’t hand himself in, definitely not. I think he is honestly too scared to face what might happen.”
Police would not confirm the alleged phone call alerting them to the incident.
It’s understood cameras along the Ring Road have been scoured for the 2003 or 2004 model sedan.
Those who knew Mr Churchill, 19, and Ms Clonaridis, 18, continue to mourn their loss. Several people in black placed flowers at the crash scene yesterday afternoon.
Mr Churchill’s grandmother, Thelma, said the teen, who had worked in shipping, was adored.
“I am broken-hearted,’’ she said.
“I feel so sorry for the girl’s parents as well. I was just so shocked to learn my grandson died this way.”
A car enthusiast — who requested his identity be withheld — told the Herald Sun he saw Mr Churchill and his blue ute during a skids meet staged at a half-dozen locations across Melbourne’s northwest on Tuesday night.
Ms Clonaridis was with him, he said.
“He was just a spectator — just like what everyone else is, really. She was just definitely a spectator. She was a regular there.”
Ms Clonaridis recently bought a 2013 Ford Falcon XR6 and planned to join a club for owners of similar cars.
Tuesday’s gathering was organised through the group, the Northern Skids, with up to 300 cars converging on the six locations — all but one progressively announced via text message to avoid police.
The secret organiser, dubbed “Mr North”, sent Tuesday’s initial text announcing the meet at 5.58pm.
It read: “STRAYA DAY SPECIAL F*****G G’DAY C***S LETS GIVE STRAYA THE BIRTHDAY IT DESERVES NORTHERN STYLE COZ THERE ANT NOTHING MORE AUSSIE SKIDS!!!!!!!!”
“LESS TRACTION, MORE ACTION!!! IF IT SPINS 4TH, BRING IT TO NORTH!!!”
The first skids location was texted at 10.28pm.
The meet, involving skids and burnout competitions, began at Ovata Drive in Tullamarine.
The other locations included Derrimut Drive in Derrimut, Merri Concourse in Campbellfield where police already present dispersed the group and Brand Drive in Thomastown.
It concluded in Campbellfield at the intersection of Foden Ave, known among skidgoers as Gtech, no later than 1am.
The fatal crash which killed Mr Churchill, who had attended The Grange P-12 College in Hoppers Crossing and Ms Clonaridis, a former Wantirna College student, occurred at about 1.30am.
“They were coming back from Gtech but we are not sure where they were heading,’’ the enthusiast said.
“That is when they got into the race.
“It’s a tragic accident — it’s sad — but for the people that run skids, Mr North, it’s just nothing.
“It’s no speed bump, it’s not a hiccup.
“It’s just another accident that’s happened and unfortunately all this sort of stuff will continue.”
wes.hosking@news.com.au
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