Man charged after food delivery rider killed in alleged hit-run
A 32-year-old man has been charged with failing to render assistance after he was involved in a collision that killed a food delivery rider in Melbourne overnight.
Police believe the rider was hit while on his way home on Plummer Street in Port Melbourne about 8pm when the collision occurred.
The DoorDash worker, a 27-year-old Southbank man, died at the scene.
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Emergency services at the scene. Nine
Police said the driver initially fled the scene before handing himself into police a short time later.
A 32-year-old Port Melbourne man has since been charged with failing to stop and render assistance at an accident.
A DoorDash spokesperson said they were "absolutely devastated by this tragic loss of life".
"Our hearts are with the riders' loved ones during this horrible tragedy," the spokesperson said.
"We have reached out to Victoria Police to assist with bringing those responsible to justice and assist with any investigation."
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Rider killed on Plummer Street in Port Melbourne. Nine
Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine described the incident as a "tragic" reminder of the urgent need for safe and fair conditions for workers.
He said the transport gig worker community had been deeply affected by the death, which marks the 18th food delivery rider killed on Australian roads.
"Gig workers in Australia working in food delivery are some of the most vulnerable workers in this country," Kaine said.
"For a food delivery rider to not return home after a shift is a senseless tragedy that his family and the wider gig community will be now forced to grapple with.
"Food delivery riders currently have no rights like a safe and fair minimum wage, sick leave, protection against unfair contract terminations, and workers' compensation in the horrific event something goes wrong."
The driver of the car was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court.
Clarification: An earlier version of this story reported a Victoria Police media release that indicated the driver had been charged with drink driving. Victoria Police have since corrected that media release and this story has been updated to reflect that.
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