Car chase kills motorcyclist
By Daniella Miletic
April 16, 2004
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A female motorcyclist was killed this morning when a stolen car fleeing police crashed into her bike on the Geelong road west of Melbourne.
The accident between the car and motorcycle occurred about 8.40am on the Princes Highway near Forsythe Road, Hoppers Crossing.
The car was on the wrong side of the road when it hit the motorbike, police said.
A police spokesman confirmed there had been a police chase before the crash.
"There was a police chase prior to that but it was called off prior to the accident," he said.
He said the driver of the car was in custody and being interviewed about the incident.
It is believed the dead woman was Maree Smith, 29, of Werribee.
"All we can say is that a car was on the incorrect side of the road, and it has collided into a motorcyclist ... and the driver is in police custody being interviewed," he said.
The car was being pursued by several patrol cars and a helicopter, said Victorian Liberal politician Denis Napthine who saw the chase as he drove along the freeway towards Geelong.
"I, in the corner of my eye, caught a glimpse of a car heading also to Geelong but on the wrong side of the road ..." he told ABC Radio.
"It was going at a reasonable speed and ... as I went past I just heard an enormous bang.
"Obviously I kept going - but it was clear there was a terrible incident."
Dr Napthine said police were pursuing the car on the correct side of the road.
An ambulance spokesman said emergency crews tried to revive the motorcyclist but she died at the scene.
The accident has caused severe delays for motorists. Police advised drivers to exit at the first Werribee turn off, travel through Werribee and get back on the highway the Laverton North exit at Old Melbourne Sayers Road.
A VicRoads spokesman said about 10.30am that the Geelong road remained closed to city-bound traffic.
One lane on the road heading towards Geelong was open. VicRoads was unsure how long the freeway would remain closed.
The coroner is expected to attend the scene.
A man was expected to be charged with culpable driving in an out-of-sessions court hearing at Werribee this afternoon.
- with AAP
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more like MURDER.
Originally Posted by tigertim20
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