Man killed after horror fatal crash in Footscray, Melbourne identified as Steven Kinna, driver Steven Wilson charged with manslaughter

A man struck and killed after a driver allegedly ran a red light in a stolen truck in Melbourne’s inner west has been identified – with the 40-year-old accused of causing his death facing court charged with manslaughter. Steven Wilson, 40, made his first appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon, limping down a small flight of stairs assisted by court security. He appeared with a black brace on his left leg and held crutches, glancing at his ex-partner who was seated in the body of the court. Mr Wilson’s lawyer said her client had been injured in the crash and received surgery “a couple of days ago”. “He also likely sustained a concussion,” she said. The court was told this was Mr Wilson’s first time in custody and at the time of the alleged crash he was on six counts of bail. Police will allege Mr Wilson was driving a stolen white Nissan truck when it was involved in a crash that killed Taylors Hill man Steven Kinna, 67, in Footscray on Monday. It is alleged the truck was spotted in Beveridge about 2.30am that day, with police attempting to intercept the car in Truganina near Peterpaul Way and Schembri Drive before it sped off. Stop sticks were placed down several times but were unsuccessful, police allege. It is alleged the truck was travelling west on Ballarat Rd when it ran a red light, colliding with a 2011 Toyota Corolla about 4.30am. The Corolla had been turning right from Ballarat Rd into Moore St. Mr Wilson was taken to hospital under police guard with minor injuries following the crash. He was charged on Thursday with manslaughter, culpable driving, conduct endangering life, trafficking methylamphetamine, going equipped to steal, possess proceeds of crime and various other traffic offences. In court, prosecutors told magistrate Tara Hartnett that the lead investigator on the case, Detective Sergeant Luke Miller, was requesting 20 weeks to prepare a brief of evidence due to “extensive” material and hours of CCTV that needed to be analysed. This was not opposed by Mr Wilson’s lawyer, who also asked that Mr Wilson see a nurse because he “may be withdrawing from nicotine and other drugs of dependence”. “I haven’t received any medication and I’ve been asking all morning,” he said as he was told he would be remanded into custody. Victoria Police Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said on Monday that the Corolla was pushed up to 80m upon impact into a tree. “Unfortunately, the driver of a second vehicle was hit by the (allegedly) stolen truck and was killed it appears instantly,” he said. “(At) the time of impact, the civilian vehicle was pushed 70 to 80m into a tree onto the south side of Ballarat Rd.” Mr Weir alleged there was “excessive speed involved” before the collision, as well as periods of driving on the wrong side of the road and running red lights. Mr Wilson, of Deer Park, was also allegedly involved in another collision with a separate vehicle prior to the fatal crash, though no one was injured. “The exact speed at the time of collision will obviously be determined as part of our investigation. Our forensic crash reconstruction specialists are involved … but that’ll take a bit of time,” Mr Weir said. Police allege the Nissan truck was stolen from Kalkallo on January 3, before it was found in Derrimut. Its owner was contacted on January 5, but the vehicle was allegedly again stolen before it could be returned. Mr Wilson’s case is due to return to court on July 10.