Police appeal for dashcam footage after fatal hit-run crash

MAJOR Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) Police have repeated their appeal for dashcam footage after a fatal hit-run collision on the South Gippsland Highway last Thursday afternoon, at about 4.30pm, according to police.

The offending driver, a 25-year-old man from Hampton Park, who was allegedly seen driving erratically in an early model, white Falcon station wagon, was travelling east between Loch and Korumburra at the time, and those who may have dashcam footage of his prior driving are urged to contact police.

The victim of the head-on collision, 19-year-old, second-year apprentice glazier, Noah Peacock of Poowong, was reportedly driving a silver Falcon sedan, travelling west between Jeetho Road and South Road, about 3km west of Bena (8.5km west of Korumburra) when the incident occurred.

“We're trying to work out the exact circumstances,” said MCIU Detective Sergeant Darren Williams.

“We do know that the two vehicles were opposing,” he said.

“We're looking for anyone with dash cameras of prior driving to come forward.”

According to police, the Hampton Park man fled the scene, before being chased by those who had stopped to help. He was later arrested by police a short distance away and ultimately airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he remains under police guard.

The young local tradie is being remembered as a passionate sportsman “with a heart of gold”.

According to a Channel 9 News report on Friday night the 19-year-old was on his way to footy training when his vehicle was struck by the other driver.

Noah Peacock loved sport, they said, playing representative basketball and making his debut for the Poowong Football Club's senior side earlier this season, with four senior games under his belt, while also being a regular vote getter in the Reserves.

The death of the well-known, young sportsman, a member of a large extended family, and connected to many through school, work and sport, has hit the local community hard and there is set to be an out-pouring of that emotion when Poowong football and netball teams take the field on Saturday against Lang Lang.

Anyone with information, dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au