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Family’s emotional plea after horror fatal crash in Wantirna South, Melbourne

The parents of a two-year-old boy who was injured in the horror collision that killed his grandparents have issued an emotional plea.

NewsWire

The parents of a two-year-old boy who was injured in a horror collision that killed his grandparents have shared their heartache and issued an emotional plea for change.

The boy and his grandparents were struck by an out-of-control Toyota Yaris that mounted a kerb in Wantirna South, in Melbourne’s east, on July 10.

The 59-year-old woma died at the scene, and the 60-year-old man later died in hospital.

Their grandson was treated in hospital before being released.

The driver of the Toyota, a 91-year-old woman, has been released by police without charge.

The car came to rest against a park bench next to a playground. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani
The car came to rest against a park bench next to a playground. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

Speaking to 7NEWS, the boy’s mother Vicky said his grandparents had recently moved to Australia to help look after him.

“I totally lost the ones who loved me the most in the world,” she said.

“I was just thinking, ‘Why (are) you always pushing me to have a child, I don’t want it’, but now I deeply and truly understand.

“My son Carl - because of him, I need to keep going.”

Carl’s parents are now calling for the state government to amend laws concerning elderly drivers.

It is unknown if the 91-year-old driver had a medical episode during the crash. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani
It is unknown if the 91-year-old driver had a medical episode during the crash. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani
Police say the driver has been interviewed and released without charge, pending further investigations. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani
Police say the driver has been interviewed and released without charge, pending further investigations. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

“Victorian legislation is way behind,” Vicky’s partner Ethan said.

“You can’t guarantee everyone can still drive when they are 70, 80, 90 years old.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed to NewsWire the 91-year-old was interviewed by Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives on Friday.

“She was released pending further inquiries.”

Victoria has no elderly-age tests for driving.

The driver at Wantirna South suffered minor injuries and it is unclear if she had a medical event at the time.

Debris was scattered across the area. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Currie
Debris was scattered across the area. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Currie

Drivers aged over 85 in NSW require an annual medical test, and must do a driving test every two years.

In Queensland, drivers aged over 75 need to carry a current medical certificate when they are behind the wheel.

Over the age of 80 in WA, drivers need to have a medical assessment each year before they renew their licence.

In the wake of the fatal crash, Acting Premier Ben Carroll said the incident put retesting elderly drivers back on the agenda.

The Victorian government is considering getting in line with the other states, and retesting elderly drivers. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Currie
The Victorian government is considering getting in line with the other states, and retesting elderly drivers. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Currie

“We do need to look at this,” he said earlier this month.

“In relation to people who are elderly and driving, I think it is a valid question … around testing.

“Having said that, there will be a thorough investigation underway and we will wait for that to run its course.”

Blair Jackson

Blair’s journalism career has taken him from Perth, to New Zealand, Queensland and now Melbourne.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/familys-emotional-plea-after-horror-fatal-crash-in-wantirna-south-melbourne/news-story/d8e0d6d99a17ba21eed5302dad5fc4e0