Car crashes claim two lives

Two people have died in separate crashes today, taking Victoria's road toll to 37 - nine more than at the same time last year. This morning an elderly man died after crashing his car into a power pole in Melbourne's north. The man had been driving on Mickleham Road near Rylandes Drive in Gladstone Park about 10.10am when he struck several parked vehicles. Victoria Police say the man then performed a U-turn at a nearby roundabout, but shortly afterwards lost control of his car again and crashed into the pole. A spokeswoman from Ambulance Victoria said paramedics treated the man but he died at the scene. Advertisement: Story continues below The man, believed to be aged in his 80s, has not been identified. He was driving a green Holden sedan. Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash, or the owners of vehicles damaged on Mickleham Road, to contact them. A report will be prepared for the Coroner. Meanwhile, another elderly man died after his car left the road and struck a tree near Newborough in Victoria's east. A passerby alerted police to the accident about 11am. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said investigators believed the man had been travelling west along John Field Drive towards Newborough last night when his white Toyota van left the road and struck a tree. John Mullen from the Rural Ambulance Service said the man was "heavily trapped" inside his vehicle. "He was deceased when paramedics arrived on scene," Mr Mullen said. Also this morning, an elderly woman was taken to hospital after she was struck by a car in Melbourne's western suburbs. Paramedics were called to an address in Lauriston Quay in Caroline Springs just after 8am and found the woman, aged about 70, with injuries to her chest, abdomen and pelvis. She was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said it appeared the woman had been struck outside the front of a property, but could not confirm reports the woman had been hit in a driveway. Anyone with information about these accidents should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or visit