'Sweet' mum-of-three killed in horror truck collision in Melbourne's east

A Melbourne mother-of-three killed in a horror collision with a truck is being remembered as a “sweet and loving” woman.

Yen Nguyen was driving to the bakery she and her husband have owned for almost 30 years about 5.40am today when her van was hit by a truck at the busy intersection of Manningham and Bulleen Roads in Bulleen in the city’s north-east.

Nguyen died at the scene.

Her best friend, who was her passenger in the van, was rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries.

The truck driver, a 28-year-old man from Wollert, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Nguyen’s daughter Katie Ly said her mother was a kind and loving woman.

“She was a sweet lady, down to earth and always happy to help everyone,” Ly said.

“She brought the energy in this place, right now we don’t have that anymore.”

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating, with indications suggesting the truck driver allegedly didn’t stop at a red light.

“It’s created, as you’d imagine, a devastating collision,” Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill said.

Another female driver who witnessed the collision rushed to help, he said.

“She assisted the victim out of the Tarago and actually placed her in the car with her,” Hill said.

“She did a fantastic job and I imagine she’s quite distressed.”

Manningham Road was closed in all directions through the intersection of Bulleen Road, which caused major traffic delays during morning peak hour.

Some residents have said the intersection is unsafe.

“Not having traffic lights out over the intersection increases the risk of this sort of accident happening,” one said.