Driver Killed in Ferguson Road Crash Near Bunbury as WA Police Renew Road Safety Plea – March 18, 2025

Incident Overview
A fatal crash on Ferguson Road near Bunbury , Western Australia, has claimed the life of a 37-year-old driver after their Mitsubishi Triton veered off the road and collided with a tree. The incident occurred at approximately Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025 , just hours after police issued an impassioned plea for safer driving amid a devastating weekend on WA roads.

The driver was critically injured in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene. Officers from the Major Crash Unit are investigating the circumstances of the collision and have appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage to assist with their inquiries. This marks the eighth fatality on WA roads since Friday, highlighting a grim trend that authorities are scrambling to address.

Location and Time
The crash occurred on Ferguson Road , near Bunbury , approximately 180 kilometers south of Perth , at around Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025 . The rural location and early morning timing may have contributed to the severity of the incident.

Vehicles Involved

• A **Mitsubishi Triton**, driven by the deceased 37-year-old man.

The vehicle sustained significant damage after colliding with a tree, requiring emergency services to secure the scene and conduct a thorough investigation.

Crash Description
Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of a single-vehicle crash involving a Mitsubishi Triton that had left the roadway and struck a tree. Upon arrival, responders found the 37-year-old driver critically injured. Despite efforts to revive him, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities are investigating potential contributing factors, including speed, distraction, fatigue, or environmental conditions. The crash underscores the dangers faced by drivers on regional roads like Ferguson Road, particularly during early morning hours when visibility may be reduced.

Injuries/Fatalities

• The 37-year-old male driver of the Mitsubishi Triton died at the scene from critical injuries sustained in the crash.

No other vehicles or individuals were involved in the incident.

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, responded swiftly to the crash site after it was reported. Paramedics attempted to stabilize the driver but were unable to save him. Police secured the area and conducted an initial investigation, documenting evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions.

The Major Crash Unit attended the scene to gather further evidence and interview witnesses. Investigators are focusing on determining the sequence of events leading up to the crash and any potential contributing factors.

Community Impact
The death of the 37-year-old driver adds to a growing list of fatalities on WA roads, with eight lives lost since Friday. Acting Road Police Commander Mike Peters expressed deep concern, stating:

“I don’t know how to explain the sadness and devastation that the families of those loved ones must be feeling right now.”

The incident has prompted renewed calls for safer driving practices, particularly as WA’s road toll for 2025 surpasses the figure recorded at the same point in 2024. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid risky behaviors such as speeding, drink/drug driving, and phone use while behind the wheel.

Investigation
The Major Crash Unit is conducting a detailed investigation into the Ferguson Road crash, focusing on several key areas:

• The actions of the driver leading up to the crash, including speed and adherence to road rules.
• Road conditions, signage, and visibility at the time of the incident.
• Potential factors such as distraction, fatigue, or mechanical issues with the vehicle.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to assist with their inquiries. Additionally, investigators are targeting the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviors—speeding, not wearing seatbelts, phone use, fatigue, and drink/drug driving—as part of broader efforts to reduce WA’s rising road toll.

Broader Context: WA Road Toll Crisis
The Ferguson Road crash is the latest in a string of tragic incidents that have devastated communities across Western Australia. Over the weekend, seven people lost their lives in four separate crashes, bringing the total number of fatalities since Friday to eight.

WA’s road toll for 2025 is already higher than at the same point in 2024, which was the deadliest 12-month period on WA roads in nearly a decade. Acting Road Police Commander Mike Peters issued a heartfelt reminder to drivers:

“When you get behind the wheel, understand what you’re taking responsibility for—you’re taking responsibility for your life, but also for the lives of others using the road.”

In a separate incident in Perth, a 36-year-old woman was critically injured after being struck by a passing car on Tonkin Highway near Collier Road in Bayswater early Tuesday morning. She remains in critical condition at Royal Perth Hospital , while the 60-year-old driver of the Ford Falcon involved was uninjured.

Appeal for Information
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the Ferguson Road crash or other incidents to contact Crime Stoppers via their hotline at 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au . Dashcam footage or witness statements could provide critical insights into the events leading up to these tragedies.

Acting Road Police Commander Mike Peters emphasized the importance of road safety, urging drivers to take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel:

“You’re taking responsibility for your life, but you’re also taking responsibility for other people’s lives that are using the road.”