Emergency services were called to the intersection of Bridge Road and Church Street in Richmond in the city’s east about 10.20am yesterday.
A 35-year-old, later identified as the highly regarded Herald Sun sports journalist, was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The driver and sole occupant of the truck, a 45-year-old Seaford man, was not injured.
After testing negative for alcohol and drugs at the scene, Melbourne Highway Patrol officers requested a blood sample from the driver, which police said was standard procedure for drivers who have been involved in a serious collision.
The driver refused to provide a blood sample, police allege.
The 45-year-old was charged on summons with refusing to provide a blood sample.
He was immediately banned from driving, and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on 19 September 2024.
The charges come after Landsberger was remembered by family and colleagues.
“I just keep saying to my wife this morning, I wish I could just grab him one more time, wake him up and say ‘have a look at all these tributes that are happening for you over the last 12 hours, because it is incredible,” Sam’s father Doctor Jake Landsberg said in a statement to Nine newspaper The Age this morning.
“Our love and emotions go out to Jake and Anne and the Landsberger family on the passing of Sam, ” Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
Collingwood’s coach Craig McRae also spoke on the “tragic” news.
”The industry will be lost for his loss,” he said.
Landsberger’s colleagues remembered “a genuinely nice bloke who was caring and inquisitive about people”.
“Sam Landsberger had an enormous future in journalism who took giant strides early on,” Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said.
“He loved the game and understood it and he respected his craft. He was such a valuable member of Melbourne’s sports journalism world, someone who could cover all aspects of footy. And people trusted him.”
Police are continuing their investigation, and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Anyone witnesses to the collision have been urged to contact Victoria Police.
