48-year-old man dies following hit-run crash in Launceston CBD
UPDATED: A 22-year-old man who fled the scene of a high-speed crash which killed a 48-year-old man in Launceston was a disqualified driver, according to Tasmania Police.
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UPDATED: A 22-year-old man who fled the scene of a high-speed crash which killed a 48-year-old man in Launceston was a disqualified driver, according to Tasmania Police.
Senior Sergeant Jason Jones said the hit-run driver was travelling in a red Ford at an estimated speed of 100km/h along Wellington St when he disobeyed a red light and crashed into the side of a Hyundai station wagon travelling west along Frederick St about 2am today.
The 48-year-old man from Trevallyn, who had a partner and two young children, had just finished work at a nearby Coles Supermarket.
Sgt Jones said police had been unable to breath test or blood test the suspect driver because he was located more than three hours after the crash.
“The male person we believe responsible has not got a good driving record and is currently disqualified, yes,” he said.
The driver and his 21-year-old male passenger are being treated in the Launceston General Hospital and are yet to be interviewed by police.
He said police were exploring possible charges including manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving.
Sgt Jones said there were quite a few witnesses who had seen the car before the crash and CCTV footage had been received.
“We believe the disobeying the red light and the excessive speed is what caused the collision,” he said.
He said the driver had been located about 5am, which meant the legislative limit for a blood test had expired.
The 48-year-old man died shortly after arriving at the LGH.
Sgt Jones said it was disappointing that someone involved in a such a serious crash would flee the scene.
Last year, then Police Minister Rene Hidding proposed a change to the law which would have resulted in a dangerous driver facing a maximum penalty of 21 years if found guilty of the offence.
Mr Hidding said the offence of dangerous driving would be dealt with under the Criminal Code rather than the Traffic Act under the legislation.
“Making this charge an indictable offence that can be heard in the Supreme Court will better reflect the offence’s seriousness, along with the maximum sentence being increased to 21 years,” he said.
Mr Hidding said existing laws a dangerous driver could avoid a charge if they did not kill or cause grievous bodily harm to someone.
“Now it will be that the dangerous driving charge can be brought against someone whose driving might conceivably have resulted in death,” he said.
“It raises the bar and says to anyone who drives dangerously, you could be up for 21 years in prison.”
Sgt Jones said the red Ford was not stolen but it was not registered in the driver’s name.
Wellington St is one of Launceston’s main north-to-south thoroughfares and Frederick St is at the southern end of the CBD.
A traffic light was flattened in the crash, with a broken power pole was replaced by TasNetworks.
EARLIER: A HIT-RUN driver is in custody after running from the scene of a crash that killed a Launceston man in the early hours of this morning.
A 48-year-old man was killed when his white Hyundai station wagon collided with a Ford sedan at the corner of Wellington and Frederick streets in Launceston just before 2am.
Police believe the driver of the red Ford, travelling south on Wellington St, ran a red light and smashed into the Hyundai, travelling west on Frederick St.
The 22-year-old man then allegedly ran away from the crash site, leaving behind his seriously injured mate in the passenger seat.
Senior Sergeant Jason Jones said police arrested the hit-run driver about three hours later in Newstead and he was helping police with their investigation.
Sen-Sgt Jones said the driver of the Hyundai and the Ford’s passenger were taken to Launceston General Hospital where the 48-year-old died a short time later.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this tragic time,” he said.
“The 21-year-old male passenger from the red Ford sustained serious injuries and is currently in a stable condition in hospital.”
Police have reopened one lane of Wellington St but Frederick St between Bathurst and Charles streets remains closed.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the crash or saw the vehicle leading up to the crash is urged to call Launceston Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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EARLIER: MAN has died after a car accident in central Launceston early this morning.
The 48-year-old was killed when two vehicles collided at the corner of Wellington and Frederick streets about 2am.
The smash caused significant traffic delays with both streets closed for more than four hours.
Police have reopened one lane of Wellington St but Frederick St between Bathurst and Charles streets remains closed.
“Motorists are asked to continue to avoid the area if possible to avoid traffic congestion,” police said.
More to come.
jack.paynter@news.com.au
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