‘Urgent’ probe into Strathmerton intersection where six people were killed in two separate crashes

A coroner will investigate a rural intersection which claimed the lives of five people in the “deadliest” crash the state has seen in more than decade.

A rural intersection where five people died in “Victoria’s deadliest” crash in a decade was also the scene of a fatal smash just one year earlier between a cop car and a visiting Tasmanian.

The Coroner’s Court is urgently probing a northern Victorian intersection in Strathmerton where six people were killed in two separate crashes 14 months apart.

On April 20, Cobram mum Deborah Markey was driving home international abattoir workers Pin-Yu Wang, Hsin-Yu Chen, Wai Yan Lam, Zih-Yao Chen, who were aged between 23 and 30.

All five occupants died instantly when Ms Markey’s ute collided with a Mercedes Benz and a milk truck at the intersection of the Murray Valley Highway and Labuan Road.

Described as “Victoria’s deadliest motor vehicle accident in 11 years”, it followed a fatal high speed crash on February 15, 2022 where a delivery van failed to give way and crashed into a cop car with two police officers inside.

Deborah Markey with her son Daniel Montero. Picture: Facebook

Kerry Rushton. Picture: Facebook

Tasmanian local Kerry Rushton, who was heading to NSW to drop off deliveries, slammed on his brakes just 1.75 seconds before his van hit the unmarked Ford Ranger, attached to Cobram’s Criminal Investigation Unit.

Mr Rushton, whose van then struck a tree, died at the scene while the officers were seriously injured and taken to hospital in Melbourne.

Both the Murray Valley Highway and Labuan Rd have posted speeds of 100km/h, with a give way sign for vehicles on Labuan Rd.

In a rare move, Deputy State Coroner Jacqui Hawkins has decided to investigate the intersection despite driver Christopher Joannidis, 29, facing five criminal charges of dangerous driving causing death over the April smash.

The court heard his Mercedes Benz was intercepted by Cobram Highway Patrol officers in the moments before it was involved in the crash between the milk truck and Ms Markey’s ute.

Typically, criminal cases would take precedence, with coronial inquiries halted until those matters are dealt with.

But Ms Hawkins said the court would not wait.

Ms Markey’s ute is taken away from the scene on the corner of Labuan Rd and Murray Valley Highway. Picture: Ian Currie

A Mercedes Benz was intercepted by Cobram Highway Patrol officers moments before it was involved in the crash. Picture: Ian Currie

Ms Markey’s ute collided with a Mercedes Benz and a milk truck. Picture: Ian Currie

“Once I realised this accident happened at exactly the same location as Mr Rushton’s death, it needed urgent attendance,” Her Honour said on Thursday.

Solicitor Kathryn Footner, representing families of three of the international workers, expressed her support for the coroner’s probe being launched as soon as possible.

“My clients’ desire is this not happening to any other family,” she said.

The Department of Transport, which is responsible for the Murray Valley Highway, offered its “sincere condolences to the families of those deceased”, through its lawyer Dale McQualter.

Moira Shire Council, responsible for Labuan Rd, did not send a representative to court on Thursday.

The coroner will look at what changes have been made, or could be made, to improve the safety of the intersection.

The matter was adjourned to a later date.