By Brendan Rees
A former Hampton Park Secondary College student has been named as one of the victims who died following a high speed crash in the South East.
Lorenzo Juriansz, 21, was “killed almost instantaneously” following a two car crash in Oakleigh East on Sunday, 29 September.
The Hampton Park man was behind the wheel of the Nissan Skyline when Mazda 3 ploughed into him on Ferntree Gully Road about 8pm, police say.
Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor, from the Major Collision Investigation Unit, said high speed was a major cause in the fatal car crash.“This is not an accident. This was completely avoidable … this is a deadly crash,” he said.
He believed the driver of the Mazda was driving erratically.
“Reports we have at this stage is high speed and duck and weaving,” he said.
Insp McGregor said police were yet to interview the driver of the Mazda until all evidence had been gathered.
Blood tests have been taken from both drivers for police to ascertain whether alcohol or drugs played a contributing factor.
“Once we know all of the circumstances we’ll interview that person,” Insp McGregor said.
“We had an erratic driver driving a green Mazda in a westerly direction on Ferntree Gully Road so we’re calling for anyone who might have seen that type of driving at that time of night … to come forward and call Crime Stoppers,” he said.
He added: “We have to stop this carnage on our roads.”
Shocked childhood friend Sudesh Hasanga Abeynayaka said Mr Juriansz moved from Sri Lanka to Australia with his family about seven years ago.
Speaking from Sri Lanka, he said Mr Juriansz was working as a mechanical engineer in Australia, had a passion for cars, and dreamed of making short films.
He said they loved cycling together, and described him as an intelligent person who always had a smile.
“Every time he called me he was very happy,” he said, adding Mr Juriansz planned to visit friends in Sri Lanka in December.
A 19-year-old woman from Ferntree Gully who was a rear seat passenger in the Mazda was taken to hospital in a critical condition and later died.
A man, also believe to be in his teens and travelling in the back seat, was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the Mazda, a 19-year-old from Bayswater North, and his 18-year-old female front seat passenger, are assisting police with their enquires.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating.
The deaths bring the state’s road toll to 209, compared to 152 at the same time last year.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au
