April 20, 2025

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Incident Overview
Residents of Strathmerton , a small town in northern Victoria, remain deeply concerned about the safety of the Labuan Road-Murray Valley Highway intersection , which was the site of a catastrophic three-vehicle crash on April 20, 2023 . The collision claimed the lives of five people and a dog , marking it as the deadliest road incident in Victoria in over a decade.

Ahead of the second anniversary of the tragedy, locals such as Carolyn Ryan and Glenn Kelly are calling for urgent action to improve safety at the intersection. Their concerns are echoed by broader community frustration over the lack of swift progress, despite plans for safety upgrades.

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023.
  • Location: Labuan Road-Murray Valley Highway intersection, Strathmerton, northern Victoria.

Details of the 2023 Crash

  • A three-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection, resulting in the deaths of five people and a dog.
  • The crash was labeled the deadliest road incident in Victoria in over a decade.
  • Christopher Joannidis, one of the drivers involved, was sentenced to **five-and-a-half years in prison**, a decision described as “insulting” by victims’ families. The Office of Public Prosecutions has indicated it will appeal the sentence.
  • A coronial inquest into the crash has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal appeal but aims to investigate ways to make the intersection safer.

“The intersection in northern Victoria claimed the lives of five people and a dog in a three-vehicle crash labelled the deadliest road incident in Victoria in more than a decade.”

Community Concerns
Locals, including Carolyn Ryan and Glenn Kelly , have expressed ongoing frustration and fear about the intersection’s safety:

  • Ms. Ryan, who has lost family members to separate road accidents, emphasized the frequency of near-misses and fatalities at the site. Six people have died at the intersection since February 2022.
  • Mr. Kelly, who owns properties adjacent to the intersection, recounted witnessing numerous close calls, including a truck narrowly missing a car by millimeters.

“Over the last few years, we have seen so many bad accidents on this road, in particular on this corner and this intersection.”
— Carolyn Ryan

Planned Safety Upgrades
The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning is working with the Moira Shire Council to implement safety upgrades at the intersection. Beginning in late April 2025 , the following measures are planned:

  • Removal of a hump on Labuan Road.
  • Installation of a splitter island, new kerbing, and rumble strips.
  • Electronic warning signs on Labuan Road, Stokes Road, and the Goulburn Valley Highway, activated when vehicles approach the intersection.

The works are expected to take approximately three months , weather permitting.

“We just want a safe space for our community and for people who use this road.”
— Carolyn Ryan

Appeal for Community Vigilance
While awaiting the completion of upgrades, Ms. Ryan urged her community to prioritize safety:

  • Encouraging drivers to remain vigilant and cautious when approaching the intersection.
  • Highlighting the importance of adhering to speed limits and road rules in preventing further tragedies.