Noah Peacock, 19, was on his way to footy training when he became the victim of a hit-run crash in Jeetho, South Gippsland just before 4.30pm yesterday.
The second-year apprentice glazier’s silver Ford was pushed off the road in a head on collision with a second car.
The driver of the other car allegedly tried to flee the scene, despite being injured, and was chased by two men as they ran into thick bush and blackberries on a neighboring property, police said.
Neighbors and other drivers rushed to help Peacock, but he died at the scene.
The teenager is being remembered by his close-knit community as someone who loved sport, having played representative basketball and recently debuted for the Poowong football club’s senior side.
His parents and brothers have described him as a rock, who was loyal and inspirational in what he would do for his friends.
Noah will be honored tomorrow by his teammates at Poowong Magpie’s home game against Lang Lang.
The other driver involved in the crash, a 25-year-old from Hampton Park was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he remains under police guard.
Police are still trying to determine exactly how the crash occurred.
They are investigating reports of a car driving erratically on the South Gippsland Highway in the lead up to the crash.