A man in his early 20s has become the first ACT road death of the year after a head-on smash on William Hovell Drive this morning.
Police said he was the driver of a small Hyundai Getz which collided with a concrete pumping truck at about 7 am, 500 metres west of the Coppins Crossing Road intersection.
Acting Inspector Travis Mills said the Major Collisions Team was investigating the accident but early enquiries suggest the Hyundai crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with the truck.
The truck driver was not injured.
Acting Inspector Mills said it was disappointing to have a road death so early in the year after what he called a horrific 2022 on ACT roads.
“It’s regrettable that we are only 10 days into the new year and we already have our first fatality in the ACT,” he said.
“The message is consistent – slow down, drive to the conditions, do not be distracted while operating a motor vehicle and, quite honestly, think of your family and arrive at your destination safely.”
William Hovell Drive was closed between Coppins Cross Road and Drake Brockman Drive for most of the morning.
ACT Policing, ACT Ambulance and Fire and Rescue attended the accident.
Eighteen people died on the ACT’s roads last year, including three in the one accident in October not far from the latest death.
Police are asking any witnesses to today’s crash to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.