An inquest into Victoria's deadliest car crash in 11 years will investigate what more could be done to make the dangerous intersection safer.
The Coroners Court of Victoria today heard the inquest would also consider a second fatal crash that happened in the same spot just over one year earlier.
On April 20, 2023, five people were instantly killed in a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of the Murray Valley Highway and Labuan Road, Strathmerton, about 60 kilometres north of Shepparton.
Cobram local Deborah Markey was driving four internationals on working visas, Pin-Yu Wang, Hsin-Yu Chen, Wai Yan Lam and Zih-Yao Chen, from their workplace at an abattoir to their home in Cobram.
The vehicle they were travelling in was hit by another car, driven by a 29-year-old man.
The impact spun Ms Markey's car into a fully-loaded B-double milk tanker killing all five occupants instantly.
Police described the incident as Victoria's deadliest motor vehicle accident in more than a decade.
The 29-year-old has been charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death and the matter is before the courts.
Deadly intersection
About 14 months earlier, on February 15, 2022, a van being driven by Tasmanian man, Kerry Rushton, collided with an unmarked police car at the same location.
The Coroners Court heard Mr Rushton had arrived in Melbourne that morning and was travelling to several locations in New South Wales to make deliveries.
He was driving along Labuan Road at about 88kph when he failed to stop at a give way sign and collided with the police car that was travelling at 100kph on the Murray Valley Highway.
Mr Rushton died at the scene and the two officers in the police car were seriously injured.
Residents have previously expressed their frustrations to the ABC about delays to address safety issues at the intersection.
The court heard the Murray Valley Highway is the responsibility of the state government, and the Moira Shire Council is responsible for Labuan Road.
Inquest to continue
The coronial inquest will investigate the accident history of the intersection, both fatal and non-fatal, and what measures have been implemented to make the road safer after each incident.
It will look at what changes, if any, were made in relation to the two fatalities, including the design and engineering of the intersection, signage, speed limits, road markings and visibility obstructions.
Recommendations will also be made for what changes should be made following the most recent fatality, if any, and the time frame to implement them.
A date has yet to be set for the inquest.
