Rideshare driver in Muswellbrook triple-fatal started his business to keep people safe

Heartbreaking new details have emerged about the rideshare driver killed along with one of his passengers in a horror triple-fatal crash in NSW.

The rideshare driver killed along with one of his passengers in a horror triple-fatal crash in the NSW Hunter region started his own business transporting people to keep them safe.

Rob Baker, and his passenger, Tracey Strachan, were killed when his Kia Carnival collided head-on with a ute at Bengalla Road, Muswellbrook, just before 9.30pm on Sunday.

The ute driver, a man in his 30s, also died at the scene.

Tracey’s husband Brad Strachan, who was also a passenger in the Kia, was taken to John Hunter Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

They had regularly used Mr Baker’s rideshare business, Movin.

Mr Baker had only started the business in March last year and it had become popular with Muswellbrook residents.

He posted that he had started the business because he wanted to keep people safe and stop parents from worrying about how their children were getting home.

“I have 4 kids so I understand the worry parents have, waiting up to make sure their children arrive safely after work or a fun night out,” he posted online. “(This business is) reducing the risk of them getting into an unknown car with an unknown driver or walking alone.

“I have now extended my hours and services so I can serve the entire community.

“There is no job too big or too small, at the end of the day I just want my customers to have a pleasant and safe experience.”

A GoFundMe page has been established and has raised almost $5000 since the crash to “support Rob’s family and any costs involved”.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District are investigating what caused the crash.

Rob Baker was driving a rideshare vehicle when he was killed in a crash with a ute. Picture: Facebook

Also on Sunday, at Upper Allyn, about 125km from Muswellbrook, 18-year-old Tiarni Jean Simpson was killed and a second woman injured following a single-vehicle crash.

Emergency services were called to Allyn River Rd, Upper Allyn following reports a Toyota Landcruiser had rolled down an embankment and crashed into Allyn River.

Witnesses scaled the embankment and freed the female passenger before performing CPR on her.

Brad and Tracey Strachan who were in a rideshare that collided with a ute near Muswellbrook.

The treatment was continued by NSW Ambulance paramedics when they arrived but Ms Simpson, the passenger, died at the scene.

The driver, also an 18-year-old woman, managed to free herself from the vehicle before she was flown to John Hunter Hospital. She is in a stable condition.

Officers from Port Stephens Hunter Police District established a crime scene and launched an investigation. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

A GoFundMe page has also been established for Ms Simpson’s family.