A Werribee man has been charged after a fatal crash outside the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale, where a car allegedly mounted a kerb and struck pedestrians leaving a major comic convention.
Victoria Police say three young men were walking along Langs Road just before 5 pm on Saturday after attending the annual Supanova event when a blue Toyota Echo sedan veered onto the footpath.
A 20-year-old man from Keysborough died at the scene. A second 20-year-old man remains in hospital with significant lower-body injuries, while a third man avoided being hit but was taken to hospital for observation after suffering trauma.
It is alleged that the vehicle continued along the footpath before being stopped, with an off-duty police officer and a member of the public intervening to detain the driver in a citizen’s arrest.
The accused, Awer Dau, a 33-year-old man from Werribee, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and culpable driving. Police allege he was an unlicensed learner driver at the time and was “well known to police”.
Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy described the incident as deeply concerning and confirmed a complex investigation was underway.
A police prosecutor told the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that investigators would require up to 16 weeks to compile evidence, including CCTV footage, mobile phone data, mechanical and forensic analysis of the vehicle, and witness statements.
The court heard the accused did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until his next court appearance in September.
Victoria Police said the investigation is ongoing and “further charges are anticipated”, urging any witnesses who have not yet come forward to contact Crime Stoppers.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the Supanova comic convention, which was being held at the Showgrounds and expected to attract up to 26,000 attendees over the weekend.
Supanova founder Daniel Zachariou told The Age that organisers and attendees were largely unaware of the unfolding incident nearby.
“We had guests signing until 7.30 because it was so popular, and yet, a whole tragedy was unfolding just 100 metres up the road that we really knew very little about,” he said.
“We’re all gutted and at the same time, like so many other people in the world who suffer tragedies, we’ve also had to just step up and do what we need to do in delivering this event.”
A minute’s silence was observed at the convention on Sunday in tribute to the victim and those affected, as the community grapples with the sudden loss.
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