Man charged after fatal crash outside Melbourne Supanova convention
A 33-year-old learner driver from Werribee has been charged following a tragic incident outside the Melbourne showgrounds that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old man and left another with serious injuries. The group of young men had just departed from the Supanova Comic-Con event when the collision occurred on Saturday night.
Witnesses described the terrifying moments as a Toyota vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the road and struck the pedestrians. "We were all taken by surprise, it screeched, bang, within two, three seconds, it just all happened instantly," said witness Rory Rouillon. The impact was immediate and devastating, with the 20-year-old victim killed instantly, while his friend was rushed to hospital with severe injuries.
Vehicle travels over 100 metres on footpath
After the initial collision, the car continued down the footpath for more than 100 metres before coming to a stop. An off-duty police officer and a bystander intervened to detain the driver, who is from Werribee, approximately 40 minutes southwest of the Melbourne CBD. "And then hearing screaming saying, 'stay right there, get back'," Rouillon recalled of the chaotic scene.
Authorities are now investigating whether the incident was a deliberate act. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy noted the unusual nature of the crash, stating, "To get across the lane, up onto the footpath and then travel 120 metres along the footpath in between a two-metre-high fence, trees and power poles is extremely rare."
Emotional tributes at Supanova convention
As gates opened for day two of the Supanova convention, floral tributes began to accumulate outside the venue, with emotions running high among attendees. One convention-goer expressed the collective grief, saying, "Sadness and being tragic and, sorry. It's hard to find the words to really describe how much this shook us."
The 20-year-old victim spent his last moments inside the convention among thousands of fellow pop culture enthusiasts. In response to the tragedy, organisers held a prayer and a minute's silence to honour him and his family. Event director Daniel Zachariou emphasised the sombre mood, stating, "We're just a business that's trying to bring fun into people's lives. Our life goes on. Those families, those people, they're the people that are affected. They're the people that matter."
Driver's actions and legal proceedings
The alleged driver was initially taken to hospital under police guard but was later discharged and interviewed by detectives. Reports indicate that he allegedly called his girlfriend in a panic immediately after the crash, but by the time she arrived at the scene, he had already been arrested.
The 33-year-old now faces charges of dangerous driving causing death and culpable driving. He is expected to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday evening, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event.
