URGENT UPDATE: Police are intensifying their search for the driver of a white Audi SUV involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred on Moreland Road on September 10, 2023, at approximately 6:20 PM. The driver remains at large after fleeing the scene without assisting the victim, a male cyclist who later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities have confirmed that the vehicle involved is a white 2016 Audi Q5 SUV. Witnesses reported seeing the car traveling west along Moreland Road towards the M2 CityLink tollway shortly after the collision. Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit are urging anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
The unidentified cyclist was standing with his bike near Murdock Street, opposite the John Fawkner Private Hospital, when he was struck. He was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries but tragically died early on Monday morning.
This incident marks the second fatal collision on Moreland Road in just three months, with a similar tragedy occurring in mid-May when a male skateboarder lost his life. Local residents have long voiced concerns about the safety of this busy route, which has a speed limit of 60 km/h—higher than most neighboring roads.
Merri-bek Councillor Adam Pulford criticized the existing bike lanes on Moreland Road, describing them as “just paint on the road.” He emphasized the urgent need for protective measures to separate cyclists from heavy traffic: “When there are high levels of traffic traveling at a high speed, there is a need to protect or separate cyclists from cars,” he stated.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, local council officials are set to host a three-hour road safety discussion at the Coburg municipal offices on September 13, 2023, to address these ongoing safety concerns. Residents are encouraged to participate and voice their needs for safer road conditions.
The urgency of this case continues to grow as police seek to hold the driver accountable for their actions. The community’s safety is at the forefront of this investigation, and officials are calling for immediate action.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. Share this article to spread awareness and help bring the driver to justice.
