Two young people who died in a fiery crash after careering off a bridge were members of Melbourne’s illegal racing scene.
Harley Churchill and Ivana Clonaridis were travelling in Mr Churchill’s ute at speeds of up to 160 km/h when the blue Holden Commodore left the EJ Whitten Bridge on the Western Ring Road at Keilor East and flew 100 metres through the air before exploding on the ground below.
It is unclear who was driving the ute, but police believe the driver had been racing the driver of a silver Ford before the accident, which occurred about 1.30am on Wednesday.
Earlier that morning, police had disrupted a gathering of 100 drivers doing burnouts and “wheelies” at an industrial estate in Campbellfield, about 18 kilometres from the crash site.
The ages of the pair have not been confirmed, but it is believed they both attended high school in Werribee.
It is also understood both were P-plate drivers.
HARLEY CHURCHILL AND IVANA CLONARIDIS (SUPPLIED)
Ms Clonaridis’ family declined to comment to Fairfax Media, while Mr Churchill’s family could not be reached.
Ms Clonaridis had only picked up a new car, a black Ford XR6 she described as “bae”, two weeks ago.
The pair both had connections to individuals heavily involved in the street racing scene that thrives in Melbourne’s north-west, with almost-weekly meets in industrial estates that are sometimes attended by as many as 500 people.
Police are searching for two people in a silver 2003-2004 Ford sedan with P-plates that are believed to have left the illegal street car event before drag racing Mr Churchill’s car at the time of the accident
By Nino Bucci and Tom Cowie – Read the full story at The Age
