LATEST: TWO people involved in a car crash which killed two people have been questioned by police.
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A 35-year-old woman and 67-year-old man from Violet Town have been interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
A witness told police the Violet Town residents’ car collided with the deceased men’s car, which then hit a tree at high speed.
Their car also hit a tree, but at a lesser speed, and the two required hospital treatment under police guard.
A 51-year-old Wedderburn man, who a witness said had been travelling closely beside the two vehicles, has also been questioned and released.
The deceased men have not been named and are expected to be formally identified Monday.
Police from the Major Collision Investigation Unit took statements and interviewed witnesses at the weekend.
Detective Senior Sergeant Gerard Clanchy said on Saturday the crash was avoidable.
“We need to get to the bottom of what happened," he said.
"This is something that should not have happened.
“Two people have lost their lives through driving that is just unacceptable.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Clanchy said he believed police had been called to the incident before the crash after reports of erratic driving.
Road rage will be investigated as a possible cause and police are trying to trace the movements of all involved prior to the crash.
Police are keen to speak to speak to witnesses, in particular a person seen driving a black utility nearby.
EARLIER, 4.30PM: Police have interviewed three people involved in a double fatality.
A 67-year-old man and 35-year-old woman from Violet Town were questioned by police.
A 51-year-old Wedderburn man has also been questioned.
All three have been released without charge.
Detective Senior Constable David Morris said a police crew was interviewing people in the Wedderburn area.
“We’re still getting statements from witnesses,” he said.
“There’s still next of kin who have not been notified.
“The deceased still haven’t been formally identified.”
Police want to speak to witnesses to the crash, which occurred on the Calder Highway about 10 kilometres south of Wedderburn around 12.40pm Saturday.
They are particularly keen to hear from the driver of a black utility seen near the vehicles.
UPDATE, 1.30PM: A 35-year-old woman involved in a fatal crash on Saturday afternoon, has been discharged from hospital in a stable condition, police said.
Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Dave Morris said the three cars seen driving erratically on Calder Highway would be inspected to determine whether mechanical failure was a factor.
Detective Senior Constable Morris said the Homicide Squad attended the scene of the double fatality and assisted with investigations.
EARLIER:
POLICE have released a Wedderburn man after questioning him about a fatal crash on the Calder Highway on Saturday afternoon.
The 51-year-old was taken into police custody after witnesses saw his car "leap-frogging" moments before the crash.
Two men, believed to be from the Bendigo area, died after the blue Ford station wagon they were travelling in collided with another car and crashed into a tree.
Three cars were seen driving erratically before the crash about 12.40pm at Glenalbyn.
Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Dave Morris said the man, who was the driver of a gold Commodore had been interviewed overnight.
"We have spoken to him and he has since been released," he said.
"We want to ascertain why this collision occurred.
"We know the parties were known to each other."
Detective Senior Constable Morris said police would interview a 67-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman who were taken to hospital in serious conditions after the two cars collided.
"Those people remain in hospital under police guard," he said.
"Police will speak with them today."
The 67-year-old man is in a stable condition, Bendigo Health spokesman Shaun Makepeace said on Sunday morning.
Police continue to call for witnesses who saw the blue Ford station wagon, the gold Commodore and a bronze sedan throughout the day.
"We want to speak to anyone who saw those cars," he said.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au
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