Truck driver dies following crash at Epping

A truck driver was killed after being flung from his vehicle when it collided with another truck, with the road carnage causing traffic snarls in Epping this morning.

The driver was thrown from the cabin of his truck in Epping. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A beloved father has died on the job in a two-truck collision in Epping, which police have described as a “freak accident”.

Mill Park man Peter Howard, 50, was flung from his garbage truck after another truck struck it, killing him at the scene.

Steven Howard, 28, said his father was “everything you would want in a Dad.”

“He was always there for us, I collapsed crying when I heard. At the moment Christmas is cancelled for us.”

Truck driver Peter Howard was killed in a “freak accident”

Howard was a mad AFL fan, and umpired local footy in his spare time.

Mr Howard, a mad Carlton Blues fan, leaves behind his wife of close to 30 years Jodie and daughter Courtney.

Friends of Mr Howard described him as a “great worker” with a great work ethic.

“He provided for his family, he was the sole provider, he always spoke about his kids” friend Mars said.

“He was pretty good on the road, he wasn’t a careless driver.

“We used to laugh, joke and have a great time. I was sick in the gut when I got the call about it.”

A tarp covers the cabin of the truck from which Mr Howard was thrown. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The father-of-two loved his sport, playing local cricket and umpiring footy in his spare time.

The accident happened at Cooper and Miller streets near Epping plaza.

Detective Acting Sergeant Leigh Miller from the Major Collision Investigation Unit said the two-truck collision was a “freak accident.”

“It is another tragic circumstance where someone has died needlessly.

“The driver (of the other vehicle) has loaded his vehicle, when he was packing up his crane, he has left a stabiliser arm fully extended on the driver’s side of the vehicle,” Det A/Sgt Miller said.

“Someone tried to get his attention letting him know the stabiliser arm was there, he obviously didn’t hear them.”

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The stabiliser arm then came into contact with the chasse of the garbage truck, causing Mr Howard to be ejected from his truck.

“It has come about because the driver has failed to do something mechanically with his vehicle,” Det A/Sgt Miller said.

The 22-year-old male driver, a factory worker, is assisting police with their enquiries.

Mr Howard’s death takes the 2019 lives lost to 250, compared to 205 this time last year.

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