Three people were injured and one killed when this car crashed into a fence in Narre Warren on Saturday.By Callan Date
POLICE believe speed was a major factor in a car crash that killed a Narre Warren man on Saturday morning.
The single car collision also left three teenage passengers with serious head, back and neck injuries.
A memorial cross and flowers, together with tyre skid marks, now mark the scene where the smash occurred on Ernst Wanke Road near Honeyeater Grove.
Keen rugby union player Tamati Smith died at the scene of the crash.
Mr Smith, 26, was driving the white Mitsubishi sedan when it smashed into a fence about 1am.
The former Endeavour Hills rugby union player was described as a well-respected and talented member of the club.
Club president Ashley White said Mr Smith played for several years with Endeavour Hills before moving to Moorabbin Rugby Union Club.
“He was a good guy, very well-liked and was one of those blokes you couldn’t say a bad thing about,” Mr White said.
“He turned up to training regularly and did the right things for the team and behaved himself.
“He was having thoughts of coming back this season and we would have been more than happy to see him return to us.”
Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Sergeant Pat McGavigan said police would prepare a report for the coroner.
“With the indications at the scene, police believe speed to be a major contributing factor in this collision,” Sgt McGavigan said.
Intensive care paramedic David Kervin was one of the many emergency service workers who attended the crash.
“It was an incredibly difficult scene,” Mr Kervin said.
“Several family and friends who were at a nearby party came to the accident and were understandably upset.”
The three passengers were all admitted to hospital.
Two Narre Warren men, aged 17 and 18, were taken to The Alfred hospital with serious injuries.
An 18-year-old man was transported to Dandenong Hospital with head injuries and bruising.
Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Narre Warren Police Station on 9705 3174.
