By Tate Papworth
A pregnant mum and a 17-year-old boy died in separate incidents across Brimbank at the weekend.
Keilor Downs woman Helena Broadbent, 32, died after she was ejected from a car in Keilor Downs on Saturday.
Police allege the mother of two had an altercation with a man outside her home just before 1pm.
The altercation continued in a car driven by the same man. Ms Broadbent fell from the back seat onto the road as the car was driven around a corner.
Ms Broadbent, who neighbours say was about six months pregnant, was taken to hospital where she delivered a baby via c-section. The baby remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Ms Broadbent later died from her injuries.
A 35-year-old-man, William Wilson, was charged on Sunday evening with dangerous driving causing death.
In a separate incident, 17-year-old Maaka Hakiwai died in hospital on Saturday afternoon after he was stabbed multiple times.
An 18-year-old boy was also stabbed during the attack in Kings Park about 2.30pm. He remains in a stable condition at The Alfred hospital.
The incidents followed the release of latest crime statistics which revealed a 1.57 per cent increase in offences recorded across Brimbank in the 12 months to June, 2019.
Crimes against the person increased by 71 offences.
Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour offences had the most significant spike, jumping from 444 to 506 recorded offences. Sexual offences also increased, up 20 from 357 in 2018. Six homicide offences were recorded in the 12 months to June, the lowest number recorded in Brimbank since 2012.
Drug offences fell from 1308 to 1171.
Police have previously stated a targeted approach to tackling drugs within Brimbank was beginning to bear fruit. Drug dealing and trafficking offences fell by 16 offences while drug use and possession offences dropped from 1040 to 913. However cultivating or manufacturing offences slightly increased from 57 to 69 offences.
