By Casey Neill
VicRoads is considering improvements to the Warburton Highway in Seville East following a fatal collision on 4 April.
A 54-year-old Woori Yallock man died in the three-car collision, which occurred near Joyce Road about 5.15am.
A Montrose man, 26, and a 31-year-old Woori Yallock man were also taken to hospital.
Police believe two cars collided head-on, and a third vehicle then struck the carnage.
“Our investigators have told me from what they’ve been able to identify so far that there’s a likelihood that one of the vehicles involved in the collision had crossed the double lines on the road,” Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Neville Taylor said.
“They’re still investigating that.”
In January, the Mail reported that Warburton Highway users were calling for a safety boost following a serious crash in the same area as this tragedy.
Many took to the Mail’s Facebook page to reiterate these calls.
Rosemary said she lived on the Warburton Highway in Seville and turning into her driveway was a nightmare.
“We have been hit three times and many near misses and (received) terrible abuse for trying to get home,” she wrote.
“People need to slow down.”
Jeanette said it was a dangerous intersection that the locals had been begging VicRoads to fix for years and Nicole said she kept looking in her rear view mirror every time she was waiting to turn into Douthie Road, “wondering if people have seen I’m turning”.
VicRoads’ Metro South East movement and safety manager Sasha Yarwood said the death of anyone on Victorian roads was a tragedy, “and our thoughts are with the family as they deal with this terrible loss”.
“Keeping people safe on our roads is our top priority and VicRoads is currently working with Victoria Police to determine the cause of the crash,” he said.
A VicRoads statement said investigations into the need for improvements on Warburton Highway in Seville East were ongoing, and VicRoads would determine the need for intersection improvements as part of the fatality investigation.
The Wednesday 9 January collision was the third that Sandy Ison had been involved in since 2010 at the same spot and in the same circumstances.
“She was waiting for the oncoming traffic to go and then someone came up behind her,” daughter Kaylee said.
“The first person went around her.”
It’s alleged another driver then crashed into Sandy’s car and pushed it into the roadside embankment.
“Each of our neighbours have also had similar accidents in this spot, although Mum’s has been the worst so far,” Kaylee said.
“We have petitioned and continually harassed VicRoads to do something, but have had no positive response.”
She’d like to see traffic slowed from the current 90 kilometre limit and a dedicated turning lane.
Joel Supple said in January that he’d been fighting for safety improvements for four years.
He said he got the impression that nothing would change unless there was a fatal crash.
“I don’t think speed’s the major factor there,” he said.
“What we were asking for was turning lane.
“You’re just looking in your rear vision mirror looking to see if they’ve seen that you’ve stopped.”
He’d also like to see a traffic island mid-highway to make crossing safer for pedestrians.
