Woman and Dog Killed After Being Struck by Car in Wonthaggi, Victoria – February 27, 2025

Incident Overview
A tragic incident in Wonthaggi, Victoria, has claimed the life of a 68-year-old woman and her neighbor’s dog after they were struck by a car on Saturday, February 27, 2025 . The collision occurred on Campbell Street at approximately 3:45 pm , when the vehicle allegedly veered onto the wrong side of the road. The woman was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries. The driver initially left the scene but returned shortly afterward and was subsequently arrested. A 47-year-old man has been charged with culpable driving and is set to appear in court.

Location and Time
The crash occurred on Campbell Street in Wonthaggi , a town in South Gippsland, Victoria. The incident took place during the afternoon at approximately 3:45 pm on Saturday, February 27, 2025 , under daylight conditions.

Vehicles Involved
The crash involved a single vehicle—a car that allegedly veered onto the wrong side of the road and struck the woman and the dog she was walking. The force of the impact caused fatal injuries to both the pedestrian and the animal.

Crash Description
According to police reports, the 68-year-old woman was walking her neighbor’s dog along Campbell Street when she was struck by a car. Witnesses stated that the vehicle had veered onto the wrong side of the road, directly into the path of the pedestrian and the dog. Emergency services were called to the scene, and paramedics worked to stabilize the woman before transporting her to the hospital. Despite their efforts, she later died from her injuries.

Tragically, the dog also died at the scene as a result of the collision. The driver of the vehicle reportedly left the scene immediately after the crash but returned a short time later. Police quickly apprehended him, and he was taken into custody for questioning.

Injuries/Fatalities

• The 68-year-old woman tragically died after being struck by the car.
• The dog she was walking also died at the scene.

No other individuals were injured in the incident.

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, responded promptly to the scene after receiving reports of the crash. Paramedics provided urgent medical care to the woman and transported her to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, she later succumbed to her injuries.

Police conducted an investigation at the scene, examining skid marks, vehicle damage, and witness statements to piece together the events leading up to the crash. The driver, a 47-year-old man, was arrested and charged with culpable driving . He has been remanded and is scheduled to appear at Latrobe Magistrates Court on Monday .

Community Impact
The tragic death of the woman and her neighbor’s dog has deeply affected the Wonthaggi community. Residents have expressed their condolences to the victim’s family and the dog’s owner, highlighting the devastating consequences of reckless driving.

The incident has reignited discussions about road safety in residential areas, particularly the importance of adhering to speed limits and staying within designated lanes. Community members are calling for increased awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Investigation
Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the crash, focusing on several key areas:

• Why the vehicle veered onto the wrong side of the road, including potential factors such as speed, distraction, or impairment.
• The driver’s decision to leave the scene before returning shortly afterward.
• Whether any environmental factors, such as road conditions or visibility, contributed to the crash.

Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to assist with their inquiries.

Contributing Factors
While the investigation is ongoing, potential contributing factors include:

• Driver error, such as failing to stay within the correct lane or misjudging distances.
• Possible distractions, such as mobile phone use or fatigue, which may have impaired the driver’s ability to respond appropriately.
• Road conditions or environmental factors, such as uneven surfaces or poor signage, that may have contributed to the crash.
• The driver’s decision to leave the scene, which may indicate underlying issues such as unlicensed driving or intoxication.