Brother of Eastern Freeway tragedy victim urges Victorians to wise up on road safety

A young police officer whose brother was killed in the Eastern Freeway tragedy says the pain of losing his brother will never leave as he laces up for a gruelling run to promote road safety awareness.

A young police officer whose brother was killed in the Eastern Freeway tragedy has spoken of his family’s five-year heartache as he gears up for a run for road safety.

Alex Prestney, whose brother, Josh, died during the catastrophic freeway collision on April 22 in 2020, said the pain of losing his brother was felt “every single day”.

Leading Sen-Constable Lynette Taylor, Sen-Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney were all mown down by killer truckie Mohinder Singh after they intercepted speeding Porsche driver Richard Pusey.

Alex Prestney and Chris May are running for road safety awareness. Picture: Josie Hayden

Alex Prestney said the suffering he and his parents endured would never wane — likening the upcoming five-year anniversary of the tragedy to a “doomsday clock”.

“They’ve gone through the worst thing in life possible, I firmly believe that. The worst thing to happen to living people is losing a child,” he said, speaking of his parent’s anguish.

“We try to tell ourselves that it’s not this doomsday clock and we’re just waiting for this anniversary to come up ... but unfortunately, that’s what it is.”

Alex Prestney, pictured with Chris May, is gearing up for a gruelling three-day trek across Port Phillip Bay. Picture: Josie Hayden

The pair have the full support of several agencies. Picture: Josie Hayden

Mr Prestney, who currently works at the Victoria Police Academy, is using the tragedy that impacted so many families as the driver for his upcoming run for road safety.

The 32-year-old is gearing up for a gruelling three-day trek across Port Phillip Bay, calling on offending drivers to rethink their habits while behind the wheel.

Constable Josh Prestney with his brother Alex on Josh’s graduation day in December 2019.

He will run 70km each day for three days, beginning at Albert Park on April 27.

“The way that we lost Josh was due to the actions and behaviours of other people, that’s what I’m getting at when it comes to the call to drivers,” he added.

Josh and Alex Prestney as kids.

“We’re doing this for offending drivers and people who may be part of the problem, it’s not just raising awareness… but we’re doing it for you.

“People cause these issues. People cause loss of life. We don’t want people to be part of that, it’s not right and it’s not fair. This is literally in our hands, and that is the strongest message for us.”

Former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton speaks with Alex Prestney. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Prestney says while he continues to fight his personal battles associated with the loss of his brother, running and being with his family are what keeps him ticking.

“There have been times, you know, where I have lost who I was,” he added.

“I’m not going to lie and say that I’m finally on the outside, there have been many, many, many ups and downs. It’s every single day that you feel it.

“We have stuck fat with each other as a family. That’s how we were as a unit when there was four of us.”

Belinda Prestney with Alex and his brother, Constable Josh Prestney, and Andrew Prestney.

Alex Prestney and his newborn son look at the plaque to his brother, Josh Prestney. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Victoria Police Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said the entire force continued to mourn the four officers’ deaths.

“Five years may have passed but for all of us at Victoria Police, not a day has gone by where we don’t think of these dedicated officers and their families,” he said.

“As we mark this important milestone we remember Lynette, Glen, Kevin and Josh and the good they brought to the community they so proudly served.”

TAC chief executive Tracey Slatter said she backed the cause of the run.

“Alex Prestney’s dedication to road safety advocacy is personal and profound, and we admire and support his journey toward changing attitudes and creating a culture where safety on our roads is not negotiable,” she said.

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Originally published as Brother of Eastern Freeway tragedy victim urges Victorians to wise up on road safety