Woman dies, driver injured after horror intersection crash in Perth

An Armadale man has been charged with manslaughter after a horror crash in Martin killed a 30-year-old woman on Friday night.

Christian John Barnett Barron appeared in court on Sunday via a bedside hearing in hospital charged with a string of offences relating to the late night incident on July 24.

WA police alleged the 38-year-old man was driving recklessly to escape pursuit by police before the crash on the Tonkin Highway.

Barron has been charged with manslaughter, dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm, contravening a 24-hour driving prohibition, reckless driving to escape pursuit by police and failing to comply with a direction to stop under circumstances of aggravation.

The horror crash happened just before 11pm when police say a Toyota LandCruiser was travelling north on the Tonkin Highway when it collided with a Hilux coming the other way at Mills Road West.

A 30-year-old woman, who was a passenger in the Hilux, sustained critical injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital where she later died.

The 33-year-old male driver of the Hilux was taken to Armadale Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Barron, the alleged driver of the Toyota LandCruiser was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.

At the court hearing on Sunday, Barron said “yes” when asked for his name but did not make an appeal for bail and was not required to make a plea.

He has been remanded until August 19 and will next appear at Stirling Gardens magistrate court.

Tonkin Highway northbound was closed for at least six hours while Major Crash investigators assessed the scene and are now urging anyone who saw the crash or either vehicle in the area prior to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestopperswa.com.au

At a press conference on Sunday morning, WA Premier Roger Cook said it has been a “dreadful weekend” on state roads this weekend.

“Look [it’s been] a dreadful weekend on our roads, and one that just breaks your heart,” he said.

“Our thoughts go out to all the families and friends impacted by these incidents, and in particular, can I also just acknowledge the first responders, emergency workers that would have had to have attended what must be a horrific sight in relation to these accidents.”

Cook urged drivers to be responsible when taking to the road at any time of day.

“We need people to do the right thing as well, making sure that you don’t drive tired, distracted by your phone, impacted by alcohol or other drugs, wear your seatbelt, drive to the conditions and don’t speed,” he said.

“But these are dreadfully tragic events, and the impact of them resonates right through the community and I just want to continue to urge everyone: please take extra care on the roads.”

Two men also lost their lives in separate car accidents earlier on Friday, police said.

Just after 1pm a blue Mini Coup was driving south on George Road in Wuraming, near Boddington, where it collided with a tree killing the male driver.

Moments later, a Mitsubishi Triton was driving south bound on Brand Highway in Cape Burney near Geraldton when it left the road and collided with a tree.

The 46-year-old male driver of the vehicle sustained critical injuries and died at the scene.

Tragically on Saturday afternoon, a 75-year-old man also died as a result of a crash that occurred in Tarcoola Beach in Geraldton.

Police say at about 4:45pm a green Suzuki Sierra SUV and a green Holden Commodore sedan were involved in a collision on Brand Highway.

The 75-year-old driver and sole occupant of the Suzuki sustained critical injuries and died at the scene.

The 18-year-old male driver and 16-year-old female passenger of the Holden were not injured.

Crash investigators are also appealing for information from anyone who witnessed any of those incidents.