POLICE are investigating a single-vehicle accident on the corner of Billson Street and Hagelthorn Street, Wonthaggi this evening, December 4.
It’s believed a black Ute travelling in a southerly direction along Billson Street around 7.25pm failed to negotiate the corner near Baillieu Street East. The vehicle left the road and collided with the gum tree near Tilley Court and travelled through the bluestone culvert before proceeding to flip multiple times, coming to rest in the front fence of a property on the corner of Billson and Hagelthorn, approximately 60 metres from the gum tree.
A 26-year-old driver and 23-year-old passenger are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries with both transported to Dandenong Hospital; one via air ambulance and one via road ambulance. A second air ambulance was in the area at the time for a separate medical incident.
SES, CFA, police and paramedics all attended the scene with debris from the crash spread over approximately 100 metres with coil springs, believed to be in the rear tub at the time, landing in front of Wonthaggi Christian Life Centre.
One witness described pulling the passenger from the vehicle, the driver trapped, whilst another alleged they had witnessed the driver “showing off” at a roundabout along Graham Street, before hearing the roar of an engine a minute or so later nearby – “I haven’t heard that sound in long time.”
Bricks from the culvert were split horizontally in half, whilst VB cans lay scattered along the nature strip further up the road. It is unknown at this stage whether alcohol is a contributing factor or was sowed in the rear tub, as a box also lay amongst the debris which included a suitcase and other items. Its believed speed was a contributing factor.
All emergency service agencies worked together with and were praised for their efforts.
Police are appealing for any witnesses or those nearby with dashcam and CCTV footage to contact Wonthaggi Police Station on 5671 4100 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an anonymous report at crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime.
