The Yarra Ranges experienced a terrible 18 hour period on the roads this week, as two men died in two separate collisions.
An 81-year-old Mooroolbark man was identified as the victim of the second collision, with a woman now charged with his death.
On Wednesday evening, a 62-year-old man from Yellingbo was crossing the road in Woori Yallock when he was struck by a car.
Emergency services were called to reports a pedestrian had been struck at the intersection of the Warburton Highway and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road about 6.30pm on 4 September.
The man was treated at the scene but could not be revived.
The driver of the car, a Yarra Junction man, was arrested at the scene and interviewed by police.
He was released pending summons.
The following day, a male cyclist was killed in Warburton.
Emergency services were called to reports a cyclist had been hit along Surrey Road, adjacent to the Warburton Golf Club, at about 11.15am on Thursday 5 September.
Ambulance Victoria paramedics responded, with the HEMS air ambulance also landing nearby, at around 11.20am.
The man, later identified as an 81-year-old from Mooroolbark, was treated at the scene but could not be revived.
The driver of the car, a 30-year-old Warburton woman, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death.
She was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 11 September.
Anyone who witnessed either incident or who has footage, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
This was the fourth pedestrian to be killed in a collision in the Yarra Ranges and Maroondah areas since June.
A man was killed on Dorset Road in Croydon on 16 June, an 81-year-old pedestrian died in hospital after being struck by a car in Mooroolbark on 24 June and a 57-year-old Lilydale man died after being struck and thrown into the path of another vehicle on 16 August.
These were the only pedestrian deaths to be recorded in the local government areas since 2022, with one pedestrian in the Yarra Ranges losing their life that year, making this a particularly devastating four months.
As of 3 September, 35 pedestrians had lost their lives from vehicle collisions in Victoria, a 40 per cent increase on last year’s figure of 25.
A total of 198 lives have been lost on Victorian roads this year.
