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Rabin Rawal identified as driver in suspected Perth murder-suicide horrific crash

The crash left both vehicles destroyed by fire, with images of the devastating aftermath widely shared on social media.

Authorities have identified Rabin Rawal, a 43-year-old father, husband, and government employee from Cloverdale, as the driver who caused a tragic quadruple fatal crash in Perth early Monday.

Image: Rabin Rawal (Picture: Supplied to news.com.au)

Police believe Rawal deliberately drove his grey RAV4 onto the wrong side of Leach Highway before a fiery head-on collision with a taxi near Abernethy Road around 3:40 am.

The crash claimed the lives of Rawal, taxi driver Sendeku Tesema, 58, and two passengers—a mother, 81, and her daughter, 56.

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Image: Taxi driver Sendeku Tesema (right) was killed in the crash (Source: Facebook)

WA Premier Roger Cook has warned that the investigation will likely uncover “disturbing” details about the incident.

“This dreadful crash has had a profound impact, and our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.”

Rawal, who lived just 2km from the crash site, was described by friends as a respected member of Perth’s Nepalese community. The shocking news has left the community grappling with grief.

Police confirmed that Rawal made a “conscious decision” to drive on the wrong side of the highway, but his motives remain unclear.

Detectives are investigating whether the crash was a murder-suicide, with Detective Senior Sergeant Hugh Le Tessier describing it as one of the most confronting road incidents officers could attend.

“This was almost the most horrific incident you could attend as a police officer in a road crash scenario—very confronting.”

Police Commissioner Col Blanch revealed that dashcam footage is being scrutinised as part of the inquiry.

“We’re very concerned by what we’ve recovered from the dashcam,” Commissioner Blanch said, adding that the murder-suicide theory is “part of the investigation, but it’s too early to draw conclusions.”

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Image: Crash site at Leach Highway in Cloverdale when a RAV4 and Camry collided early on Monday (Source: 7News)

The crash left both vehicles destroyed by fire, with images of the devastating aftermath widely shared on social media.

Anyone with footage of the incident or the moments leading up to it is urged to submit it via the dedicated police portal.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

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