Woman dead, another fighting for life after serious truck crash at Bulleen, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs

A woman is dead and another is in critical condition after a van and truck collided at Bulleen in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs on Monday.

The fruit truck and a Toyota Tarago were travelling in opposite directions along Bulleen Rd about 5.40am when it’s believed the truck driver allegedly ran through a red light, hitting the Toyota which had entered the Manningham Rd intersection.

The Toyota driver, a 53-year-old woman, died at the scene while her female passenger, aged 63, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The truck driver, a 28-year-old man from Wollert, was also hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.

Detective Seargent Stephen Hill said it was too early to tell whether speed was also a factor in the crash, but that police would be looking at all possibilities, including whether impairment from drugs or alcohol.

He said police were doing their best to reduce this year’s road toll, which has now reached 167 deaths, the total for the entirety of 2023.

“It’s really just becomes a case of drivers on our roads taking responsibility for their own driving behaviours and paying attention to the road rules, paying attention to signs,” Hill said.

“In some cases just ... showing some courtesy to other drivers just so that we can prevent these types of collisions.”

Speaking on concerns from some locals about the Bulleen and Manningham Rd intersection being dangerous, Hill said his inspections had shown all the lighting and signage in the intersection was visible.

He said he was aware the area had changed due to recent road works, such as the construction of the new Manningham Rd interchange, but that it was more of an issue for drivers who need to “pay attention to their driving environment and react accordingly”.

Police have spent the morning collecting evidence from the scene and will canvass the area for CCTV.

The intersection of Bulleen and Manningham Rds remains closed but should be open in the afternoon, Hill said.

Drivers have been advised to detour using surrounding roads including Manningham Rd, Banksia St, Templestowe Rd and Rosanna Rd onto Lower Heidelberg Rd.

“Motorists trying to reach the Eastern Freeway from the north should use Thompsons Rd, Doncaster Rd or Burke Rd,” the transport department said.

“Those travelling between Heidelberg and Doncaster should detour via the freeway, or using Doncaster and Burke Rds.

“We ask motorists to allow extra time for any travel in the area, and to be mindful of residential and school traffic when detouring. “

Hill said police would try to speak to the truck driver later on Monday, depending on his injuries.

He called for anyone who witnessed the crash, or anyone with any dashcam, to contact Crime Stoppers.