Fatal crash ends carjacking spree in East Melbourne

A 46-year-old man from Melton has died after crashing a stolen vehicle in East Melbourne on Saturday night, following a chain of events that began with an alleged carjacking near the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The man, who was driving a stolen white Subaru, was seen driving erratically on the wrong side of the road in Richmond around 9pm, according to police. The Subaru then collided with two vehicles, including a Ford Mustang, near Punt Road and Boulton Parade.

The driver of the Mustang was not inside the vehicle at the time and was uninjured, police said.

Carjacking and second crash

After the initial collision, the man got out of the Subaru and jumped into the Mustang, speeding off before crashing head-on with a Range Rover and then a Toyota Camry on Barassi Way in East Melbourne. The force of the crash ejected him from the Mustang, and he died at the scene.

A woman driving the Range Rover was taken to hospital with an injury to her arm. The other motorist involved was not injured, police reported.

Vehicle history and ongoing investigation

The Subaru the man initially drove was stolen from Glen Iris on August 20 and was bearing false number plates, according to police. Police were also following up reports that the vehicle was seen driving erratically in Clarendon and Whiteman streets before the first collision.

Brunton Avenue was closed to traffic while police processed the scene.

Appeal for information

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the collisions or who has dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.