By CASEY NEILL
Shaken driver’s appeal after hit-run collision…
AN ENDEAVOUR Hills woman has gone public with her fear of selfish drivers following a hit-run car crash in Dandenong.
Zorka Preradovic is scared to get back behind the wheel and is speaking out to prevent others facing the same fate – or worse.
The 57-year-old was driving on Heatherton Road near Cleeland Street about 8.45pm on Thursday 30 October, on her way to visit a friend.
“The light was green,” she said.
“My speed was about 50 kilometres, or maybe 40 because I could see everybody in front of me was driving slower.”
The next thing she remembers is opening her eyes and seeing the roof of her car.
“I was in the back because my seat broke,” she said.
“All around me was dark and I saw behind me some lights.
“I realised someone had hit me from behind.
“I was in shock.”
She called her son Stevan, who lives just a few minutes away with his wife Lena.
“I don’t know why I called my son first and not the police. I just thought about my kids… ” she said.
“I saw that the lights behind me were going to the left side. I said ‘oh my god, he wants to run away’.
“He didn’t come and see if I was hurt. He just wanted to run away.”
Ms Preradovic got out of her car and confronted the other driver.
“My son was still on the phone. He could hear everything,” she said.
“The driver came out of the car and stood in front of the number plate. He wanted to block it.”
Mr Preradovic said his mother sounded frustrated and afraid during the call.
“He was a bit bigger than her and he seemed to be a bit aggressive towards her,” he said.
“He told her ‘you don’t know how to speak English’.
“She speaks with an accent, but she speaks English.
“I did hear him say that he wanted to move to a safer spot.
“He actually just turned into Cleeland Street and drove off towards Princes Highway.
“By the time we got there he was already gone.
“It was a despicable act.”
The incident has heightened the anxiety Ms Preradovic has suffered since her husband’s sudden death from cancer three and a half years ago.
“What really upset her was we could have lost her as well,” Mr Preradovic said.
“The entire back of the car was pushed in.”
A doctor examined Ms Preradovic the following morning.
“Nothing is broken but it’s sore – my neck, my fingers and my back,” she said.
“I was lucky I was moving. It could have been worse.
“If people drink alcohol they shouldn’t be sitting behind the wheel operating a vehicle.
“If they’re in a hurry they should still not drive over the speed limit. It’s better to be a few minutes late than cause an accident and ruin lives.”
Ms Preradovic is using her son’s car while hers is with insurance assessors.
“I’ve been driving for 27 years and I’ve never hit someone and no one’s ever hit me,” she said.
“I’m scared of driving now, especially at night time.
“I loved to drive. Now, I don’t know….
“When I’m driving looking in front it’s OK, but when I’m looking in the mirror I’m scared.”
Ms Preradovic wrote down the registration number of the other vehicle – a large four-wheel drive utility – and provided it to police with a description of the driver.
She said he was about 183 centimetres tall, aged in his early to mid-50s, Caucasian and thin with some facial hair.
The Journal contacted Springvale police for comment and was advised that the investigation was ongoing.
Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Springvale Police Station on 8558 8600.
