Major Collisions Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a horror four-vehicle collision in Darnum yesterday in which a 30-year-old Warragul woman died.
A truck and three cars were involved in the collision on the Princes Fwy westbound lane, near the Bona Vista Rd exit, at about 8.40am.
Police said the truck collided with a bronze Jeep Cherokee, causing a domino effect with two other vehicles.
The driver of the Jeep, a 32-year-old Warragul woman, was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital with life-threatening injuries. A 30-year-old female front-seat passenger died at the scene and a 14-year-old Warragul girl in the back seat was airlifted to the Royal Children's Hospital with serious injuries.
A 53-year-old Yarragon man and a teenage boy from Yarragon in a white Mitsubishi were assessed at the scene by paramedics and a 21-year-old Tooradin woman, the driver of a third car, was transported to West Gippsland Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The truck driver, a 61-year-old Trafalgar man assisted police with inquiries in the hours following the collision and was later conveyed to Warragul Police Station for a formal interview.
Police used drones yesterday to obtain an aerial view of the collision site and assist in investigations.
A second smaller collision occurred on the eastbound lane of the Princes Fwy not far from the first collision around 9.45am and caused further delays.
The westbound lane of the Princes Fwy remained closed late yesterday afternoon.
A total of 132 people have died on Victoria's roads this year, up from 96 people at this time in 2022.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.