Driver allegedly fled after mowing down young brothers playing in laneway

An eight-year-old boy is fighting for life in hospital after being hit by a car while playing soccer with his brother in a suburban laneway in Melbourne’s west.

Huseyin Pek suffered life-threatening injuries when he was trapped between two vehicles in a rear laneway behind his grandmother’s house in Braybrook about 5.15pm on Tuesday evening.

Three-year-old Burak Pek escaped serious injury when a male driver ploughed into two cars parked in the laneway between Wirraway Ave and Liberator Lane, pinning his brother between two vehicles for about 20 minutes.

Huseyin underwent two surgeries overnight after receiving head injuries and significant injuries to the rest of his body.

The driver of the vehicle that hit the cars then fled the scene and locked himself inside a nearby house, witnesses said.

Victoria Police said on Wednesday that a 48-year-old man had been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, driving whilst unlicensed and other traffic offences. He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

A damaged car in a laneway where a driver crashed into two children on Tuesday evening.Credit: Alex Crowe

Ambulance Victoria said Huseyin was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital and Burak was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

“A man believed to be in his 40s was transported to Western Hospital Footscray in a stable condition for observation,” a spokesperson said.

James Gath, 21, was washing his car in the laneway when he heard the “absolutely erratic” car coming.

He said he and his mother jumped out of the way just before the vehicle smashed into his car and pushed it down the alleyway with one of the children underneath.

Police at the scene after the crash in Braybrook.Credit: Nine News

Gath said he unsuccessfully tried to apprehend the driver of the vehicle, before calling emergency services.

He said the driver was the boyfriend of a woman who lived in the neighbourhood. The woman told Gath she had fought with her boyfriend before the crash, he said.

Gath said his neighbours were unable to sleep on Tuesday night after the shock of the incident.

The children’s parents were at Huseyin’s bedside on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Burak was being cared for by his aunties and grandmother.

A child is in hospital after being hit by a car while playing in a laneway behind his grandmother’s house.Credit: Nine News

“It is very sickening,” Gath said. “Everyone is obviously in distress.”

Major collision investigation unit Detective Sergeant Daryll Out said the crash could’ve caused a more tragic consequence.

“Two children could’ve been killed,” he said. “Everybody just needs to be very mindful to be as careful as they can around parked cars and children when you’re in confined spaces.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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