A tragic week of motorcycle fatals has ended with Victoria’s homicide squad charging a man with murder after a Werribee man died when he motorcycle was hit by a ute at Bacchus Marsh.

Jake Smith, 24, (above) died in the collision at Maddingley on Wednesday night (20 May 2020).

Police believe Jake may have known the people in the ute.

The 36-year-old male driver of the ute stopped a short time later and stayed at the scene with one of his passengers, a 28-year-old man.

The second passenger, a 31-year-old man, fled on foot, but turned himself into police yesterday afternoon. The Pentland Hills man was interviewed and charged with one count of murder.

He appeared before a bail justice and was remanded in custody to appear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Police allege the driver of the ute involved in Wednesday night’s collision continued on for around a kilometre before finally pulling up.

Anyone with information or with dash cam footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In another tragic twist it, Jake’s 15-year-old brother died in similar circumstances in 2013, when his mini motorbike collided with a car in Werribee.

‘Lost control’

A 36-year-old male rider has died in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Mango Hill early this morning (23 May 2020).

Queensland Police say: “preliminary investigations indicate the motorcyclist was travelling south on the Bruce Highway when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a light pole just before 2.30am”.

The Sunshine Coast man died at the scene.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Quote this reference number: QP2001060441 within the online suspicious activity form.

Island crash