A man accused of leading police on a pursuit in a stolen truck through Melbourne’s west before he crashed into a sedan, killing its 67-year-old driver, has fronted court.
The victim of the crash, 67-year-old Steven Kinna.Credit: Victoria Police
Steven Wilson, aged 40 from Deer Park in Melbourne’s west, was charged with almost two dozen offences after Monday’s fatal crash in Footscray, including culpable and dangerous driving, trafficking methylamphetamine, and dealing with about $1200 worth of suspected stolen cash.
The victim of the fatal crash was on Friday identified as 67-year-old Taylors Hill man Steven Kinna. His family has asked for privacy.
In the lead-up to Monday’s fatal crash, Wilson allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road, disobeyed traffic signals and travelled at speed while police on the ground tried to keep their distance and devise a plan to safely intercept the truck.
Victoria Police earlier alleged the truck was first reported as being in Beveridge about 2.30am, but that the driver left before police arrived.
The vehicle was spotted in a Laverton industrial estate, and in Truganina about 3.15am, prompting police to call in the air wing as units on the ground tried to intercept it near Peterpaul Way and Schembri Drive. However, the driver allegedly sped off.
Police said the truck collided with another vehicle on Hopkins Road in Truganina, but no one was injured.
Wilson is ultimately accused of speeding the white Nissan truck through a red light, and slamming into a Toyota Corolla that was turning right on Ballarat Road at Footscray about 4.30am on Monday.
The impact allegedly pushed the 2011 Toyota Corolla about 70 to 80 metres into a tree. Kinna, who was driving the Corolla, died at the scene.
Wilson fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
His 22 charges also included possessing the suspected proceeds of crime, along with items intended to be used in a theft, including bolt cutters, a glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, shifter, pliers, electrical keys and an electronic camera detector.
The driver of the car died at the scene, and the truck driver was put under police guard in hospital.Credit: Paul Jeffers
Wilson did not apply for bail, and was remanded in custody to front court again on July 10.
At the time of the crash, Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir described Kinna’s death as a needless “waste of human life”.
Professional standards command, the internal police unit that investigates the force’s conduct, will oversee the major collision investigation unit probe into the crash as police were still deemed to be in pursuit of the vehicle.
However, Weir said following the crash: “The police helicopter was keeping observation and there was no active pursuit at the time.”
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