A crash that killed a Romsey father of six and another that left a man seriously injured by the roadside made for a horror week on the Calder freeway.
Police allege a truck driver, whose “erratic” driving led to a horror five-car collision that killed Kari-Pekka Maunus, and closed the freeway earlier this month, was on a suicide mission and under the influence of the drug “ice”.
A Melbourne Magistrates Court was told a blood sample taken after the collision revealed the driver, Michael Templeton, had used methamphetamine.
Mr Maunus, a 49-year-old boilermaker, was on his way to work when a truck ran over the top of his ute about 6.30am on March 16.
Templeton had been swerving his freight tip truck erratically between inbound lanes near Kings Road in Taylors Lakes, a police report stated.
He was charged with culpable driving causing death on March 18 and was remanded to reappear on June 27.
Meanwhile, police are appealing for witnesses to a hit-and-run involving a truck and a man near Woodend on March 15.
Investigators were told a car was stopped on the side of the Calder Freeway between Bawden and Quarry roads about 1.55pm as the driver filled up the petrol tank. A small truck clipped the man then continued driving south. It is not known whether the truck driver was aware his truck had struck the man.
The man, 25, of Pascoe Vale South, is in a stable condition in hospital. The driver of the truck is yet to be identified.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
