Oakford fatal: Man, 20, charged with dangerous driving over crash that killed 22-year-old on Thomas Road

A 20-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving offences following a crash that claimed the life of another young man on Saturday. It comes after police revealed the 20-year-old did not pass a roadside breath test after the crash, which happened in Oakford just after 6.30am. An orange Holden Commodore ute and a red Ford Falcon sedan were travelling west at speed on Thomas Road at the same time an oversized heavy vehicle convoy was travelling east. Police say the ute did not pull over to let the convoy pass and instead clipped the oversized load before losing control and crashing headfirst into the rear pilot vehicle, a white Ford Ranger. The 22-year-old driver of the ute suffered critical injuries and was rushed to Fiona Stanley Hospital where he later died. The 75-year-old man driving the pilot vehicle sustained serious injuries and was sent to the same hospital, where he remains in a stable condition. Two men in the Ford Falcon, the 20-year-old driver and his 25-year-old passenger, were not injured. Road Police Commander Mike Bell revealed the 20-year-old allegedly failed a preliminary breath test following the incident. The Parmelia man has since been charged with dangerous driving causing death in circumstances of aggravation and dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation. He was released on bail and will appear before Armadale Magistrates Court on December 6. The 22-year-old driver of the ute has become the 157th person to lose their life on WA roads this year, a tragedy Cmdr Bell said was becoming all too common. “It’s another Saturday morning. I’m standing before you to tell you another member of our community has died, a young male, 22 years of age, in a completely avoidable car crash, completely avoidable,” he said. “It’s going to be devastating for his family, his friends, his community, his workplace, his sporting clubs. “All their lives are going to change because of this one incident, it’s just devastating.” Major crash detectives were among the roughly 20 police officers who remained at the scene through Saturday morning as they pieced together the events leading up to the crash. No charges have been laid. Forensics were seen collecting evidence from the damaged vehicles, including the orange ute, the white pilot vehicle, and the oversized heavy vehicle. The ute sustained significant damage to the side and front in the crash, with the front bumper torn off and lying on the ground nearby. Damage to the side of the pilot vehicle was also visible. Cmdr Bell said the impact of these kinds of crashes lasted with first responders. “Look 100 per cent (it impacts first responders), we saw an article in the media this week by one of the officers at major crash talking about the impact that it has on all the first responders going out to these horrific scenes and dealing with it,” he said. “The other first responders that have to go around to the houses and deliver the death notifications, which is just harrowing. “As I say, it’s a ripple effect through the community, and it’s devastating.” Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators here. Road Trauma Support WA 1300 004 814