Police car shunt crash warning

By Kelly Yates
DRIVERS are being urged to stay inside their vehicles when broken down after a woman standing near her car on the Monash Freeway in Hallam was thrown 12 and a half metres through the air.
Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Acting Sergeant Allen Inderwisch told the News the woman from Narre Warren had pulled over in the emergency lane and was standing near the bonnet of her car when another vehicle, for unknown reasons, veered off the freeway and collided with the back of her car.
The impact knocked the woman’s car into her and the 20-year-old was knocked onto the grass verge.
The incident occurred in the inbound lane, west of Belgrave Hallam Road, on 6 January at 8.30am.
The driver of the other car was a 24-year-old Narre Warren woman.
Both women suffered head and leg injuries and were taken to The Alfred hospital by ambulance.
Police said both vehicles were written off.
The left hand lane of the freeway was closed for an hour and a half while the scene was cleared.
Act Sgt Inderwisch said the young woman was fortunate she wasn’t killed as a result of the crash.
“It could have ended a lot worse. It was a big hit,” he said.
“Police want drivers to stay in their vehicles if they break down to minimise the risk of injury.”
Police are continuing investigating the cause of the collision.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Endeavour Hills Police Station on 9709 7666.