Melbourne Family Devastated as Toddler Fatally Struck by Car, Leaves Them Traumatized
A Melbourne family has experienced a tragic incident that no parents should ever endure—the loss of their child in a fatal car accident. The two-year-old was waiting to cross Stud Road in Dandenong North with his father when a passing ute struck and fatally injured him. Despite emergency services’ efforts to perform CPR, they were unable to save the child.
The devastating incident took place around midday on Sunday, leaving family members in shock and grief at the scene. Senior Sergeant Dave Hewatt described the situation as traumatic, emphasizing the family’s profound distress. The family members, visibly distraught, provided information to the police, who are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.
Sergeant Hewatt mentioned that it was challenging to determine the exact cause of the collision at this stage. The 60-year-old driver from Gippsland is cooperating with the police and is not currently in custody. The authorities are carefully assessing the incident, considering both accident possibilities and potential contributing factors.
Stud Road, known for its high speed and volume of traffic, has been a concern for locals regarding pedestrian safety. Residents have pointed out the lack of adequate crossings at the intersection and ongoing issues with speeding cars and accidents. Some have petitioned for a reduction in the road’s speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h due to safety concerns.
The Herald Sun reported that between June 2015 and June 2020, 22 accidents occurred on Stud Road, resulting in 12 serious injuries and two fatalities. In response, safety barriers were installed along the road to mitigate the risk of run-off-road and head-on crashes, according to Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning.
However, residents argue that these measures are insufficient, citing visibility issues and the need for additional safety measures like a pedestrian crossing. Despite safety improvements, concerns persist among residents about the recurring accidents on Stud Road.
This tragic incident adds to the growing toll of road fatalities in Victoria this year, with 281 deaths recorded so far, marking an alarming increase of nearly 21% compared to the previous year, according to Transport Accident Commission data.
