Police say a drive made a “conscious decision” to travel in the wrong lane before a quadruple fatal crash involving a car and a taxi near Perth Airport this morning.
Police said a Toyota RAV4 allegedly drove up the off-ramp of the Leach Highway near Orrong Road about 3.40am (6.40 AEST), before it collided with a silver Toyota Camry taxi near Abernethy Road.
The unidentified driver of the RAV4 and the 58-year-old male driver of the taxi died at the scene.
An 81-year-old woman and her 56-year-old daughter, who were both seated in the back of the taxi, also died at the scene.
The crash scene is about 1 kilometre from the entrance to Perth Airport.
Police believe the driver of the RAV4 made the “conscious decision” to drive on the wrong side of the highway, Detective Senior Sergeant Hugh Letessier said.
Despite the RAV4 being “completely engulfed” in flames when emergency services arrived, police were able to retrieve dashcam footage from the car.
Letessier said dashcam footage recorded before the crash appeared to show the car travelling through the streets of Belmont and Cloverdale “well in excess” of the speed limit.
He said it was “far too early” to comment on whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
“It’s just such a tragic event … There’s four families that have been severely impacted by this and its extremely sad,” Letessier said.
Leach Highway has reopened to traffic after it was closed in both directions for several hours this morning.
Major Crash investigators are examining the scene and are appealing for any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
