The crash occurred just after 5pm local time on Saturday on Langs Road near the Melbourne Showgrounds. The vehicle involved was a Toyota. A man has been arrested and is in police custody, with the circumstances surrounding the collision yet to be established and the investigation remaining ongoing, a Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed.
Multiple reports indicate the car mounted a kerb and struck two pedestrians, both males in their early 20s. One pedestrian died at the scene and the second was taken to hospital with serious lower limb injuries, while a third person was taken to hospital for shock but was not believed to have been struck. The trio had been at the Supanova Comic Con event.
Police described a sequence of events where the car continued for a further 120 metres after striking the pedestrians, passed between two trees, and crashed into the crowd. The car was travelling north when it crossed lanes and mounted the footpath. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy stated that the circumstances are extremely unusual, adding that the vehicle travelled a significant distance along the footpath and police will try to understand the causation of what caused the driver to travel that distance.
Police are still yet to determine if drugs, alcohol, or speed were involved. According to Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy, it is unclear whether the incident was intentional, but police will be investigating all avenues, including whether drugs or alcohol were involved. Witness accounts describe a silver Toyota driving 'at speed' towards a group of people.
The driver was arrested by an off-duty officer who received assistance from the public. State Emergency Service marquees were set up outside the venue shortly after the crash.