By Ashleigh McMillan
The family of a road worker who died after he was struck by a car on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne’s inner north have paid tribute to a “much loved dad, brother and friend of many”.
Peter Dyck, 58, died in hospital after he was hit by a Toyota sedan on the freeway near Hoddle Street in Clifton Hill. Emergency services were called to the crash about 12.15am on Wednesday.
The Boronia man’s family members said in a statement on Thursday they were “absolutely devastated”.
“He was a hard worker and there weren’t many things he couldn’t do. Our dad was always the first one to reach out and help others in their times of need,” they said.
“We will miss him dearly and would like to thank our extended family, friends and work colleagues of our dad for their messages of love and support.
“We would also like to thank all of the people who stopped, including members of the public, ambulance paramedics and police, who did all they could to help our dad.
The scene of the crash on Wednesday morning.Credit: Joe Armao
“Your compassion and care means a lot to us.”
Police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the incident. Major collision investigation unit detectives believe Dyck was inspecting a light pole on the side of the road when he was struck by the car.
Makesafe Traffic Management, the traffic control business Dyck worked for, declined to comment.
A 27-year-old man, believed to be the driver of the Toyota, was arrested on Wednesday and was assisting police with their inquiries. Police on Thursday would not say if charges had been laid.
Senior Sergeant Christian von Tunk told 3AW on Wednesday the driver of the Toyota lost control and struck the barrier several times.
“As he lost control he’s unfortunately collected a road worker who was inspecting a light pole there on the left-hand side,” he said.
Von Tunk said the crash scene was 300 to 400 metres long, with significant damage to the road worker’s car as well as the Toyota.
He said early indications were that drugs and alcohol were not a factor, but police would continue to investigate speed, road conditions and the vehicle involved.
The crash occurred at the spot where the 60km/h speed limit from Alexandra Parade increases to 100km/h for the Eastern Freeway.
Detective Sergeant Luke Miller told reporters at the scene that an initial investigation suggested speed was a factor, along with “wet, slippery” road conditions from rain.
He said the crash occurred when there wasn’t much traffic.
“It will be traumatic for the family of the worker, I can’t express my condolences [enough],” he said.
“To put a message out there: if you are driving, please drive within the conditions. Don’t speed and obey the road laws. This is yet another example of a collision that’s occurred this year that was preventable.”
Jade Campbell, a construction organiser at the Australian Workers Union, said Dyck’s death was “so avoidable”. She questioned why there was little signage at the scene and little on the worker’s truck to protect the worksite by absorbing the impact of an out-of-control vehicle.
Campbell said it was vital that the government better protected traffic controllers by giving the Department of Transport more power over traffic management companies.
“Every company tries to push their employees to do more and more unsafe practices because it’s a casualised industry. [Traffic control] is a very low-paid job. It’s a race to the bottom,” she said.
“We’re the first people that get looked at as an inconvenience [by drivers], but we’re there to make sure that you get home safely, that we get home safely, that our workers get home safely.”
Anyone who witnessed the crash, with dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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