Dashcam video amongst evidence sought over violent and fiery incident
Those impacted by the recent fatal and destructive Victorian truck crash near the South Australian border have a chance to influence the response, with Victoria Police (Vicpol) seeking witnesses for its probe of the tragedy.
A South Australian truck driver, since identified as Steven Lawrie, died when his B-double struck a stopped B-double at around 2.20am near Serviceton on February 11.
That truck appears to have been the last in a line of heavy vehicles that was awaiting clearance to pass into South Australia due to a swiftly created border checking operation in response to the most recent Victorian COVID-19 outbreak.
It then ran into a third B-double an all three were engulfed in flames.
The incident sparked widespread industry condemnation of state border closure procedures and led to a separate South Australian Police (Sapol) investigation.
Related article: Snap border closures blamed for fatal crash
“Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit and Heavy Vehicle Criminal Investigation Unit are appealing for interstate truck drivers who may have witnessed a fatal collision at Serviceton earlier this month,” Vicpol says.
“Investigators believe truck drivers from either South Australia or New South Wales may be able to provide further information on the incident, including dashcam footage.”
“The driver of the first truck, a 46-year-old man from Parafield Gardens, South Australia, died at the scene.
The driver of the second truck, a 27-year-old man from Langford, Western Australia and his passenger, a 63-year-old man from Carey Park, Western Australia, were taken to hospital and have since been released.
“The driver of the third truck, a 50-year-old man from Melton, Victoria, was uninjured.
“The exact cause of the collision is under investigation.”
Investigators are appealing to truck drivers who may have witnessed the incident or have dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision to contact Vicpol’s Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.