Police officer hit and killed by car on memorial ride while with his son
A veteran police officer riding with his son on a memorial ride has been killed after his motorcycle was struck by a car.
Detective Senior Sergeant Victor Kostiuk, 59, died on Friday after he was struck by the vehicle while motorcycling with his son, Detective Senior Sergeant Felix Kostiuk.
The pair were riding just ahead of the Wall to Wall ride to the National Police Memorial in Canberra from Melbourne to honour fallen police members as part of a motorcade of 300.
During the ride at Cabbage Tree Creek, Victor was struck by a car that veered across the road, with the police member of nearly 40 years dying at the scene.
A 21-year-old man was taken into custody following the accident.
The memorial ride was temporarily stopped before the participants, including Felix, decided to resume with a “determined mood”.
Victor Kostiuk was a “well respected” expert in the field of preventing family violence and had also worked in CIU and homicide.
Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters on Saturday some of his last words to Mr Kostiuk, as he left on the memorial ride, were “travel safely”.
Tributes flood in for Victor Kostiuk
Victor Kostiuk’s family as well as his colleagues have paid tribute to the 59-year-old following his death.
A family statement described him as a “dedicated and passionate” member of the police force while also wishing for privacy in this devastating time for them.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir, Southern Metro Region, said Detective Senior Sergeant Kostiuk was “highly regarded, respected and a valued member” of their of Southern Metro Region.
“He was extremely knowledgeable in the field of preventing family violence and was seen as a leader by Victoria Police, the broader sector and community,” he said.
“Vic’s colleagues at Southern Metro Region are devastated by the loss and will be provided with ongoing support.”
Police call for safety on Victoria roads
Police have implored road users to take care after a “tragic, tragic” 24 hours in country Victoria, with four people dead in separate accidents.
On Friday, a 31-year-old man died at Hedley, a 65-year-old male motorcyclist died in the Highlands and a 77-year-old woman died at Mansfield.
A further three people were flown to hospital with serious injuries after a crash at Inverloch and another person was flown following a crash at Benloch.
“I’ve lost track of the countless times I’ve seen senior Victorian police officers stand up here and talk about road safety, talk about the fact that we want people, road users, to actually obey the law, to make sound judgment, to be considerate of others, to think what are the ramifications of their actions,” Acting Chief Commissioner Patton said.
“But sadly here we are again today and I’m standing here to plead with the public to take care, to do what they should be doing on the roads and drive safely.
“It seems as if people think it can’t happen to them. Well unfortunately we know that death doesn’t discriminate on the roads – we saw that on Friday.”
The causes of the crashes are being investigated, with police looking into factors like inattention, fatigue, alcohol and speed.
With AAP
