Kangaroo Flat: 14-month-old Spencer Roberts dies after horror smash in Bendigo
A playful video of 14-month-old Spencer Roberts was shared by his mum on social media just hours before the toddler was hit and killed on one of Bendigo’s busiest roads.
Police & Courts
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A man driving home thought his car had struck an animal only to find out he had critically hit a toddler who had managed to crawl from his home onto the road in the dark.
The “fluke accident” tragically killed Spencer Roberts, aged 14 months, after he managed to briefly escape his parents’ watch about 7.30pm on Wednesday outside their Kangaroo Flat home.
Spencer’s parents Stacey Winning and Brad Roberts were heavily distressed by their son’s sudden death on Thursday, with friends saying they were “too emotionally distraught” to speak.
“We are all very shocked,” family friend Gemma Douglas said.
“Stacey is beside herself. It’s not real yet. It was a complete fluke accident.
“He was a happy, loved little boy who was wanted desperately. He was always smiling his little heart out.
“They are a beautiful little happy family.”
Spencer was struck by a passing Holden Sedan travelling south in the slip lane of High St, just off the busy Calder Highway.
The road has a speed limit of 50km/h.
Acting Senior Sergeant Dale Simm said there was no indication of speed, alcohol or drugs.
“It is very tragic, he (the driver) is upset,” Snr Sgt Simm said.
“The child left the house, crawled out pretty quickly.
“The driver stopped, didn’t realise it was a child. They believed it was an animal, then realised it was a child.”
A neighbour heard a commotion after the accident and desperately tried to save the boy’s life via CPR while another passerby called triple-0.
The first responder, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had a sleepless night since the tragedy unfolded.
Spencer was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.
His proud and doting mum Stacey uploaded heartbreaking footage of him trying on a new pair of Nike shoes, just hours before he was killed.
She posted: “This boy blows my mind with how smart he is.”
Other posts show similar love for the growing toddler.
“Never met a baby that is always happy,” Ms Winning said.
“The only time he whinges is if he is hungry or tired. I could watch you laugh forever.”
A coronial inquest will be undertaken.