Vic: Police probe if fatal crash was deliberate

AAP General News (Australia)
12-26-2006
Vic: Police probe if fatal crash was deliberate

MELBOURNE, Dec 26 AAP - Victoria Police are investigating whether a fatal collision
at Kyneton was deliberate amid speculation the man killed was riding a stolen motorcycle.

Dennis George Yannopoulos, 35, died when he was struck by a car in Piper Street, Kyneton,
north-west of Melbourne, about 11pm (AEDT) last night.

Police confirmed today the bike he was riding belonged to the family of the other driver.

Mr Yannopoulos, of Malmsbury, was dragged more than 20 metres along the road when he
was struck near the intersection of Campaspe Place as he returned home from Christmas
celebrations.

He died at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle, a white Ford station wagon, was uninjured.

He was questioned by police this morning but released without charge.

The homicide squad has joined the investigation and police are examining whether the
collision was deliberate.

A police spokeswoman confirmed the dead man did not own the motorcycle he was riding.

"The bike wasn't reported as stolen but it didn't belong to the guy who was on it,
it belonged to the family of the guy who's collided with it," a police spokeswoman told
AAP.

"Whether it was deliberate or not, we're still investigating."

Police have appealed for witnesses who saw the fatal crash to come forward.

Police want to speak to the occupants of a white Hilux utility or similar vehicle believed
to be travelling along Piper Street about the time of the crash.

Meanwhile, Mr Yannopoulos' mother is demanding answers.

"He did a lot of naughty things, but he had the best heart, the best heart in the world,"

she told Channel Nine.

Police want anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

AAP cmb/cjh/de

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