By Colin MacGillivray
GREENSBOROUGH Highway Patrol officers are investigating a crash in Wollert that left a 17-year-old Epping boy dead on Sunday morning.
Investigators believe the unlicensed boy was driving a Toyota van that left Bindts Road and struck a tree at about 7.30am on Sunday morning. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Greensborough Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Jason Flinn said investigators were still piecing together the circumstances leading to the crash, and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
“Early investigations suggest the driver appears to be unlicensed and underage and not wearing a seatbelt,” he said.
“We think inexperience may have contributed to the collision, but we won’t know until we get a lot of the measurements analysed and sent back so we can start making estimations of speeds.
“Indications are that the driver may have been travelling in excess of the posted speed limit in that area.
“We’re still appealing for witnesses who may have been on Bindts Road between 7am and 7.30am on Sunday morning and may have seen the vehicle in question driving.
“We have got some witnesses that the driver has passed just prior to the collision, and we’ve taken statements from those people.”
Acting Sgt Flinn said police were investigating a range of other factors, including how the boy accessed the van and ended up on Bindts Road.
“We’ve got all these little things that have added up to an unfortunate end result,” he said.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who might have dash cam footage of the vehicle is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
