National
Two men arrested over alleged Melbourne hit-run that killed beloved dad
Two men have been arrested over an alleged hit-run in Melbourne that killed a father-of-four and left his colleague seriously injured.
Traffic worker Timmy Rakei and his colleague Shaun Kilmartin had been setting up cones on the road near the corner of Hall Road and Lats Avenue in Carrum Downs, when they were allegedly struck by a red Holden about 7.15am on Tuesday.
Mr Rakei died and Mr Kilmartin suffered life-altering injuries in the crash.
READ MORE: Niece of ‘gentle giant’ killed in alleged Melbourne hit-run shares grief
Police allege the male driver was picked up by another man driving a black Hyundai SUV after the incident at about 7.45am.
A 30-year-old man with no fixed address was arrested at a property on Boundary Road in Carrum Downs just after 2pm today.
He was taken to Frankston police station, where he will be interviewed by detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit in relation to the crash.
A second man was arrested after attending the same police station just after 3pm.
The 25-year-old man, from Carrum Downs, remains in custody.
https://twitter.com/LanaMurphy/status/1458659154801807363
Mr Kilmartin, 38, has since undergone surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after the bone in his leg snapped through his skin.
The Traralgon man today spoke from his hospital bed, paying tribute to his colleague.
“He was such a likable bloke and always took care of the people he worked with,” he wrote.
“I can’t imagine what his family are going through. They need all the support we can give.
“You just don’t expect something like this to happen. It didn’t have to happen.”
Mr Kilmartin said he is looking forward to being released from hospital soon.
Mr Rakei’s partner, Tania, said she had received an outpouring of support from his colleagues and the community since his death.
“The support has been overwhelming,” she said in a statement.
“It’s so emotional and just reminds me of what a good person he was.”
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
Detectives are yet to locate the black Hyundai SUV allegedly involved in the incident and urge anyone with information regarding its whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
