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Couple were 'minutes from home' when killed in hit-run

A recently wed couple killed in a shocking hit-and-run in Melbourne's outer east were said to be just minutes from home.

Matt Goland, 38, and Bita Zaeim, 32, were in a car at the intersection of Stud Road and Boronia Road in Wantirna South shortly after 1am on Saturday.

A 19-year-old man allegedly sped through a red light in a stolen car and hit the couple's car before leaving the scene, police say.

Matt Goland and Bita Zaeim were killed in the hit-and-run on Saturday morning. Source: 7News
Matt Goland and Bita Zaeim were killed in the hit-and-run on Saturday morning. Source: 7News

A 15-year-old girl was in the passenger seat alongside the teenage man at the time of the crash.

"The severity of the damage tells us it's obviously that high speed was involved and as a result the male died virtually on impact at the scene," Acting Superintendent Stuart McGregor said.

"The female was conveyed to hospital and later died because of the injuries."

The couple had been married for 12 months and were in this Holden Commodore. They both died. Source: AAP
The couple had been married for 12 months and were in this Holden Commodore. They both died. Source: AAP

The 19-year-old driver and his passenger, who police say had stolen the Lexus in an aggravated burglary, somehow crawled from the wreckage seemingly uninjured before leaving the scene.

Security guards from a nearby club gave chase but the pair were unable to be found.

"This behaviour is just abhorrent, I think everyone would agree," Acting Supt McGregor said.

Acting Superintendent Stuart McGregor labelled the behaviour of the teen driver as
Acting Superintendent Stuart McGregor labelled the behaviour of the teen driver as
The devastated parents of Matt Goland attended the scene. Source: 7News
The devastated parents of Matt Goland attended the scene. Source: 7News

"Everyone in the community just cannot understand how someone can think that it's right to travel at speed through a red light and then when you know you've done so much damage to another car, to another person, to two people, to think of themselves and just leave. I don't understand it."

The parents of the young husband asked to see the scene, struggling to comprehend how someone could leave their loved ones to die.

"The image of mum and dad of the male passenger will probably stay with me for the rest of my life," Acting Supt McGregor said.

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"Dealing with them and talking with them and seeing that state of shock, you never want to see that."

Police say the driver of the Lexus was travelling at a ridiculously high speed. The impact with the Holden caused the entire section of the passenger side to be ripped open.

The two teenagers were arrested at a Belgrave property. They were taken to hospital for treatment under police guard.