UPDATE: A Fitzroy North man has been charged over the alleged hit-run death of a cyclist in West Footscray on Thursday afternoon.
The 27-year-old man was charged with one count of culpable driving, dangerous driving causing death, fail to remain at the scene of an accident, fail to render assistance and drive whilst suspended.
He will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning.
The man was arrested at a Heidelberg home about 11.30am on Friday.
The collision occurred on Barkly Street around 3.15pm when a white Holden Rodeo utility allegedly collided with a cyclist and a parked car near the intersection of Argyle Street.
A 54-year-old Footscray man died at the scene.
Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said the alleged driver was arrested by police at a Heidelberg residence on Friday morning and is currently being interviewed.
A photo of the driver taken by a “brave” witness to the crash gave police confidence they would be able to identify the driver.
A white 2006 Holden Rodeo utility was travelling east on Barkly Street near the intersection of Argyle Street about 3.15pm when it crashed into into the rear of a cyclist and a parked car.
Police said the driver drove about 100 metres further before abandoning the ute, which had severe damage to the front end.
He then fled on foot north along Argyle Street, past the Footscray West Primary School, and was last seen jumping a fence in Essex Street.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Patrick from the Major Collision Investigation Unit said the driver appears to have been travelling at high speed in the 50km/h zone.
The cyclist, a 54-year-old New Zealand citizen living as a permanent resident in Footscray, died at the scene.
Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Patrick said the parked car that was hit had its rear end crushed by a “severe impact” and was pushed about 85 metres down Barkly Street.
Police have spoken with a number of witnesses as well as the registered owner of the Rodeo, who recently sold the car to the driver and identified him from his photo.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Patrick said the driver appears to have given a false name to the previous owner and is yet to re-register the vehicle.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Patrick said the victim had no family in Australia but had been identified by a close friend.
His family are making arrangements to fly to Melbourne.
He said the driver appears to have jumped a number of fences while evading police, taking advantage of the stormy weather to evade detection.
Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
