FATHER, SON SMASH HORROR
Claims dad was clinging to car driven by son before deadly collision on Thompson Rd.
A GEELONG father who died on one of the city’s deadliest roads on Sunday was reportedly clinging onto the side of a speeding car allegedly driven by his son.
The 41-year-old was flung from his vehicle and killed when it crashed into another car in Bell Park.
The man was seen hanging off the right-hand side of a Kia Sorrento when the car collided with a Volkswagen on Thompson Rd just after 9pm on Sunday. Both cars were catapulted across the road.
The man died at the scene after being thrown from the car when it flipped. How far the man travelled clinging to the car remains unclear.
The 20-year-old male driver of the Kia, understood to be his son, allegedly fled the scene before being arrested a short time later by police.
Speaking to Seven News, the victim’s daughter paid tribute to her father and spoke of his bond with his son.
“They were very close, they were like best friends,” she said.
“I’m very heartbroken, like we all are.”
It is understood police received numerous 000 calls about a man seen “hanging” outside the car, before the collision. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating and would like to speak to anyone who saw a black Kia Sorrento travelling between Hamlyn Heights and Bell Park with a man hanging onto the side of the car,” Victoria Police spokeswoman Leonie Johnson said. “Any witnesses, anyone with dashcam footage, or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.”
The Newcomb driver was taken to Geelong hospital with serious injuries, where he remained under police guard in a stable condition last night. He is likely to face several charges once he has recovered from his injuries.
The female driver of the Volkswagen, a woman aged in her 20s, was also taken to Geelong hospital with minor injuries.
Thompson Rd was closed until late yesterday morning with the accident scene blocked off with police tape.
The smash comes as new linemarking was rolled out along Thompson Rd last month as part of a six-month safety trial to address the road’s notorious crash history.
Paul Northey, chief regional roads officer of Regional Roads Victoria, said any fatality on our road network was a tragedy, and our thoughts are with those impacted by Sunday night’s crash.
“Investigations are ongoing and we’re working with Victoria Police to better understand the circumstances of this accident,” he said. “We know that Thompson Rd has a shocking crash history, which is why we’re trialling a new traffic lane arrangement for six months between Separation and Morgan streets to improve safety for all road users.
“As part of this trial we’re continuing to investigate what other upgrades can be rolled out to improve safety on this busy road.”
There have been 71 crashes in Thompson Rd over the past five years and six lives lost this year alone.