Double fatality at Penna, man charged over reckless driving

A horror three car crash has claimed the lives of a teenage boy and his mother after their vehicle collided with another car near Richmond on Tuesday. LATEST >>

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Fatal crash, Penna

Tuesday, May 10

A horror three car crash has claimed the lives of a teenage boy and his mother after their vehicle collided with another car at Penna on Tuesday.

Police were called to the scene on Brinktop Road before 5pm and arrived to find two of the vehicles involved had collided.

“Some people were seriously injured in one car and unfortunately people were deceased in the other car,” Tasmania Police det. Insp. Michael Smith said.

“Although attempts were made to revive one of the occupants of the other car, unfortunately they were unsuccessful.”

It’s believed the boy who died was around 16 years old and his mother was in her 50s.

The two were travelling in a red Daewoo.

In the second car, a blue Holden Cruze, was another mother and son.

“The lady is in her fifties and the son is mid 20s,” Mr Smith said.

“The lady was taken to hospital…her son was also taken to hospital he’s not as serious.”

Authorities are working to piece together exactly what went wrong, but it’s believed a third vehicle was involved.

“We believe the car may have crossed to the incorrect side of the road for an unknown reason,” Mr Smith said.

“That caused the driver of the red Daewoo to take evasive action, losing control of that vehicle and coming into the path of the Holden Cruze.

“There’s still a lot of investigation to go and people to be spoken to, so we’ll know more in the coming days.”

Since May 5 there have been six fatalities on Tasmanian roads, including one pedestrian fatal.

The deaths bring the state’s road toll to 26 this year, compared to 10 the same time last year.

“Tragedy can strike just like that in a matter of seconds,” Mr Smith said.

“Any fatality is tragic, it affects families, it affects the community, other people on the road.”

Another fatality occurred on Brinktop Road on April 30 and a separate crash on the same road left to a female passenger in hospital with serious injuries the next day.

High range drink driver charged, Margate

Tuesday, May 10

A man has been charged with drink driving following a crash on Sandfly Road at Margate this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene around 7:45am.

“Initial inquiries indicate the man failed to stop at the intersection and crashed into the rear of another car, which led to three other cars also being damaged,” said Tasmania Police.

“One person received minor injuries.”

The 51-year-old returned a breath analysis reading above 0.15 and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

He will appear in court at a later date.

In light of the incident Inspector Jim Semmens reminded drivers to be cautious when it comes to driving and drinking.

“Depending on how much you’ve had to drink the night before, feeling ‘okay to drive’ is not good enough,” he said.

“This is a very disappointing example of poor decision making and drink driving behaviour that has put lives at risk.”

There have been a total of 24 fatalities on Tasmanian roads in 2022 compared to 10 at this time last year.

Man charged with reckless driving, Newnham

Monday, May 9

A man has been arrested after allegedly riding an unregistered trail bike dangerously with a young child on board last week Tuesday in Newnham.

With assistance from the public Tasmania Police identified the 32-year-old from Invermay and he has been charged with reckless driving and evading police.

He was bailed to reappear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on 21 June.

Police have seized the motorcycle and are engaging with other government agencies regarding child safety.