November 11, 2025

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Incident Overview
A devastating crash in western Victoria has claimed the lives of a three-year-old boy and his parents after their car collided with a B-double truck at Stoneleigh, near Ballarat, on Tuesday morning, 11 November 2025.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Mount William Road and Eurambeen-Streatham Road at approximately 9:30 am, following reports that a family sedan failed to stop at a stop sign and was T-boned by an oncoming truck.

The impact caused the vehicle to spin several times and roll onto its passenger side, leaving a catastrophic scene.

A 61-year-old woman, believed to be the child’s grandmother, was trapped in the wreckage for some time before being airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with life-threatening injuries. She is the sole survivor.

The 41-year-old father, 31-year-old mother, and their three-year-old son, all from the Geelong region, were declared deceased at the scene.

“It’s a terrible scene … one life lost is one too many. Unfortunately, the stop signs and the precautions haven’t been followed.” — Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy, Victoria Police

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (approximately 9:30 am)
  • Location: Intersection of Mount William Road and Eurambeen-Streatham Road, Stoneleigh, Western Victoria (45 minutes west of Ballarat)

Vehicles Involved

  • Family sedan — occupied by two adults, one child, and the child’s grandmother.
  • B-double truck — local driver returning to depot with empty trailers.

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Fatalities:
    • Father, 41, from the Geelong region — driver of the car, deceased at the scene.
    • Mother, 31, from the Geelong region — front passenger, deceased at the scene.
    • Son, 3, — rear passenger, deceased at the scene.
  • Serious Injuries:
    • Grandmother, 61 — airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in life-threatening condition.
  • Minor Injuries:
    • Truck driver, local to the area — sustained minor injuries and taken to Ballarat Hospital; cooperative and not believed to be at fault.

Emergency Response

  • Victoria Police, paramedics, and CFA crews responded immediately to reports of a severe crash involving a car and B-double truck.
  • Emergency crews extricated the grandmother from the wreckage before she was airlifted to hospital.
  • The scene was described as “catastrophic,” with significant debris and both vehicles sustaining extensive damage.
  • The truck driver remained at the scene and assisted police with their inquiries.

“We believe the car has travelled through the stop sign. The truck had right of way. There’s nothing to indicate excessive speed was a factor.” — Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy

Police Investigation
The Victoria Police Major Collision Investigation Unit is leading the inquiry into the crash.

Investigators believe the family’s car failed to obey the stop sign at the rural intersection before being struck by the B-double truck travelling along Eurambeen-Streatham Road.

Police stated that early evidence suggests:

  • The **truck driver had right of way** and was travelling within the speed limit.
  • There are **no indications of excessive speed or mechanical fault** with the truck.
  • Visibility and driver attention are likely to be key factors under investigation.

The intersection, though clearly signposted with stop and warning signs, is known for limited visibility due to its rural setting.

The car and truck have been seized for forensic examination as investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.

Community Impact
The crash has deeply shaken communities across Stoneleigh, Ballarat, and the Geelong region, where the victims are believed to have lived.

Local residents described the loss as “beyond comprehension,” while first responders received welfare support following what police called one of the most confronting crash scenes of the year.

The tragedy also pushed the Victorian road toll to 247 for 2025, six higher than at the same time in 2024. Police reiterated that driver attention and intersection safety remain major concerns on rural roads.

“It’s a rural road. There are stop sign precautions and warning signs before the intersection, and it appears they haven’t been followed.” — Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy

Appeal for Information
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage from the area between 9:00 am and 10:00 am to contact:

  • Crime Stoppers VIC: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at [www.crimestoppersvic.com.au](https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au).