Dad and amateur cage fighter John Beirouti identified as Dandenong North crash victim

The man who died in a fiery crash while fleeing police was a new dad and amateur cage fighter, working to overcome his criminal past.

A man has died after crashing into a tree in Rowville. Picture: David Crosling

A new dad and amateur cage fighter has been revealed as the driver who died in a fiery crash while fleeing police in Melbourne.

John Beirouti died when his car struck a tree and burst into flames on Stud Road in Dandenong North on Sunday.

Mr Beirouti, who was known to police, evaded officers when they tried to intercept him on Stud Road in Rowville over an “outstanding matter” about 3.30am.

But police said he failed to stop and sped off through a red light. Police deployed stop sticks on Stud Road near the intersection of Brady Road as they tried to bring him to a halt.

Moments later Mr Beirouti’s SUV hit a tree near the intersection of McFees Road, with police officers pulling him from the burning wreckage.

They applied first aid with the help of a passing ambulance but Mr Beirouti, of Maribyrnong, died at the scene.

John Beirouti, 43, who died in a crash in Dandenong North. Picture: Facebook

Tributes flowed for the new dad, who was also an amateur footballer.

Mr Beirouti’s partner, Argina Baker, said John was “fiercely loyal” and always the life of the party.

“As a partner and as a father, he loved very hard and very fast — he was committed to making sure our family thrived,” Ms Baker said.

“He fought hard for the things he loved,” she said.

“John was larger than life.”

Ms Baker said as a new father, Mr Beirouti had been working to overcome his criminal history in the lead-up to Sunday’s fiery crash.

“John fought his demons until the very end, but unfortunately he lost this round,” she said.

“To his family and close friends, he was our world, and he will be dearly missed.”

In a Facebook tribute she said her “heart is so broken”.

“I will always and forever love you, missing you so much, I haven’t the words right now. Rest In Peace my love.”

A a friend of Mr Beirouti, who asked for her name to be witheld, told the Herald Sun he was a “great sportsman” who cared deeply for his family.

“He was a great dad and a great fighter,” she said.

“They just had a baby,” she said. “They have a lovely young family. He had a very big heart.”

She said the horror crash was “just so tragic” because Mr Beirouti had been working to move past his criminal history, which included a string of assault and domestic violence charges.

“He had been trying to turn his life around for his family and his kids,” she said. “He has mentored people and was setting an example.”

The car burst into flames after crashing into a tree. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Beirouti is also being remembered as a champion local footballer and club legend of Karratha Kats Football Club from the Pilbara region in northern Western Australia.

“‘Animal’ loved his beloved Kats and was not too tall but never short on confidence,” the club posted on its Facebook page.

“Always the life of the party. The memories you leave behind are full of love and laughter.

“You will never be forgotten and your name now always a legend in the walls of the Kattery.”

Mr Beirouti was a talented sportsman who also competed in MMA and won bouts in the Australian Fighting Championship.

Police insisted they were following the car — not chasing it — after earlier deploying stop sticks.

Superintendent Helen Sattler would not say what outstanding matter police initially tried to intercept him over but said there was nothing to indicate it was a stolen car.

She said police deployed the stop sticks due to his erratic driving, but it was not a pursuit and officers followed the car from a distance “to see where it was going to end up”.

John Beirouti with partner Argina Baker. Picture: Facebook

“My understanding is it was a routine check and the driver failed to stop and proceeded through a red light and that’s when police stop sticks were deployed,” Superintendent Sattler said.

“We were obviously concerned because the driver failed to stop,” she said.

Superintendent Sattler said it was quite confronting and distressing for the officers first on the scene who tried to save Mr Beirouti.

“It is never a nice incident to attend to and they showed great courage in pulling the driver out of the car while it was on fire,” she said.

“We will be offering counselling to those members and also to the family of the deceased person if they so desire.”

She said officers showed “great courage” by dragging the man from the burning SUV before attempting to resuscitate him after officers followed him for about a kilometre.

Police are investigating whether speed was a major factor in the crash, which could be heard by nearby residents who raced out of their homes to find the SUV on fire on a median strip.

One neighbour said the road was a hot spot for hoons. Picture: David Crosling

ROAD A MAGNET FOR HOONS: NEIGHBOURS

Siva Sivachandran Ragendaran said he was in his living room when he heard a “very loud crash” before seeing a car engulfed in flames.

“I came outside and I have a look. I saw about 10 police cars there and about three or four ambulance and fire brigade,” he said. “It’s quite shocking.”

Mr Ragendaran added he wasn’t surprised the tragic incident unfolded as hoons regularly used Stud Road as their own racing track.

“To be honest with you, this road — people are driving very crazy.

“Sometimes they’re racing. (Authorities) have to cut down speed in here, about 60 (km/h) or whatever.”

Police spoke with one neighbour who said he would hand over CCTV from his security camera.

The resident, who asked not to be named, said the footage showed a “flash” of light.

He said he didn’t hear anything as he had purposefully made his house “soundproof” with insulation due to hoons tearing up the neighbourhood.

Police investigate the crash scene, which is strewn with debris. Picture: David Crosling

“At midnight, they’re racing through. They’re definitely making unnecessary noises.”

He added it was “lucky” the car didn’t crash into a house and potentially harm others.

Michele Yallapa, 62, who lives in a nearby unit, said she heard a “loud bang”.

“I was a little bit concerned,” she said. “You could hear it. It was a car hitting something.”

She said she was shocked by the news that a man had died.

“That’s terrifying. That’s very sad. You don’t want that to happen to anyone,” Ms Yallapa said.

“We have no problems normally anywhere around here. It’s pretty quiet really.”

Members of the Professional Standards Command visited the scene and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death as it occurred after contact with police.

A report will also be prepared for consideration of the Coroner.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have dashcam footage, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au