A mum killed in a horror crash has been remembered by her grieving family as a kind and loving woman – as her best friend fights for life in hospital.
Bakery owner Yen Nguyen, 53, was on her way to work when a food delivery truck collided with her van at a busy intersection in Bulleen in the city’s east at about 5.40am on Monday.
The mother-of-three died at the scene while her friend, 63, in the passenger seat was pulled from the wreckage by passing motorists and rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she remains in a critical condition.
The truck driver, 28, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ms Nguyen and her husband owned a bakery in Heidelberg West for almost 30 years, which remained shut on Monday.
‘She was a sweet lady, down to earth and always happy to help everyone,’ her heartbroken daughter Katie Ly told Nine News.
‘I can’t say anything bad about her.
‘She brought the energy in this place, right now we don’t have that anymore.’
Bakery owner Yen Nguyen was on her way to work when tragedy struck
The intersection of Manningham and Bulleen roads was closed for most of Monday morning following the horror crash
Passing motorists who rushed to help Ms Nguyen and her friend were left distressed by the incident.
The intersection of Manningham and Bulleen roads was closed in all directions for most of the morning, creating a nightmare commute to work.
Early indications suggest the truck driver may have allegedly run a red light, according to police.
The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined.
‘It’s created, as you’d imagine, a devastating collision,’ Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill told reporters.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives launched an investigation into the horror crash
He added that it was too early to tell whether speed contributed to the crash but will examine all possible factors.
Police are yet to interview the truck driver. No charges have been laid at this stage.
Ms Nguyen’s death takes Victoria’s road toll to 167 lives lost this year, three less than the same time last year.
Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information to contact Crime Stoppers.
