A young man has tragically lost his life after a vehicle struck him and fled the scene in Melbourne's outer east, with a second man now in police custody.
Early Morning Tragedy on Manchester Road
Emergency services rushed to Manchester Road in the suburb of Mooroolbark in the early hours of Friday morning. The call came in at approximately 1.55am after reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a car, which then failed to stop.
Upon arrival, police discovered an unconscious man, later identified as a 28-year-old from Lilydale. Despite the best efforts of paramedics who treated him at the scene, the man could not be revived. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Police Investigation and Arrest
A major crime scene was immediately established, and an investigation into the circumstances of the man's death was launched by the Major Collision Investigation Unit.
The investigation progressed on Saturday morning when a 39-year-old man from Ferntree Gully presented himself at a police station. Police confirmed he is currently being interviewed by detectives in relation to the fatal incident.
As part of their inquiries, investigators have located a vehicle of interest. A white Nissan Dualis SUV has been seized and will undergo a thorough forensic examination to gather evidence.
Appeal for Witnesses and Information
Police are continuing their investigation and are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. They are particularly interested in speaking to:
- Motorists with dashcam footage of Manchester Rd, Mooroolbark, around 1.55am on Friday.
- Local residents or businesses with CCTV that may have captured the incident or the vehicle involved.
- Anyone with any information, no matter how small it may seem.
Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
