Geelong couch crash: Vicki McKenzie’s family make latest plea

A Geelong family living with the consequences of losing a loved one in a bizarre road accident has issued a warning for motorists.

The heartbroken family of a North Geelong grandma, who died after she was involved in a serious car crash after a couch was left on a road, has warned motorists of the life-changing consequences of poor decisions behind the wheel.

Siblings Brad and Julie McKenzie, whose mother Vicki passed away last week after the September 10 crash on Creamery Rd, Bell Post Hill, said simple actions on the road can prevent a “lifetime of pain” for families.

“Our family is now living with the most serious of consequences having lost our mother due to another’s negligence,” the McKenzie family said in a statement.

Vicki McKenzie, pictured with her grandkids, died in hospital after a two-car crash on Creamery Rd, Bell Post Hill.

Brad McKenzie. Picture: Alan Barber

“Taking an extra moment to make sure your vehicle and any load you are carrying in or on it

are secure, can prevent a loss of life and a lifetime of pain for a family.

“As is known, our loving and loved mother, Vicki, was fatally injured following an accident caused by the presence of a couch on Creamery Road when she was just simply driving home.

“Whilst the matter is still under investigation, as a road safety message we are calling on all motorists to ensure that they treat the act of driving a vehicle as a privilege and not a right.

“Care must be taken to ensure that all loads on vehicles are secure and safe and that you monitor them during the course of your journey, as well as the manner in which you drive.

“We need time to work our way through the aftermath of the loss of a pillar of our family, but we will continue to seek justice and hope our message can prevent another family becoming devastated.”

Fortitude Legal Geelong’s director, Tom Burgoyne, is representing the family in relation to a TAC claim said he hoped the McKenzie family’s message made motorists wake up and take proper care.

“The duty of care a motorist owes to other road users can start with preparatory actions such as making sure the vehicle and any load it may be carrying or towing are safe and secure, all the way throughout the driving journey to the endpoint,” Mr Burgoyne said.

“Aside from the fact that you can be pulled over and checked by police at any point to make sure you are complying with the law, motorists need to understand that they will forever be eaten up by their conscience when the worst eventuates if they do not treat the task with proper seriousness.”

Geelong Superintendent Peter Ward said detectives were “diligently investigating the matter” and urged anyone with CCTV of the incident to come forward.

The McKenzie family have asked for privacy for their family as they made arrangements to send of their loved mum and grandmother.

Anyone with dashcam footage, who witnessed the crash or with information on the couch is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Geelong couch crash: Vicki McKenzie’s family make latest plea