Mum-of-four killed in freak freeway accident is identified – as police hunt driver of truck from which metal item came loose

A driver who died in a freak accident when a large piece of metal crashed into her car on a Melbourne highway has been identified as a mother of four.

Mary-Anne Cutajar, 46, from Deer Park died when the mechanical device smashed through her windscreen as she drove on the M80 Western Ring Road, near Altona, at around 4pm on Thursday.

Police suspect the Riv-Nail drive system, a heavy-duty tool designed for conveyor belt maintenance, fell from a white truck that was traveling in another lane of the highway.

The object then traveled along the highway and struck Ms Cutajar’s car which was traveling on the Greensborough lane. The car was located near the Furlong Road exit in St Albans at the time and she was the only occupant.

“We are all in shock, we don’t understand how this could have happened,” said a family member The Herald Sun.

Detective Inspector Mark Amos of Victoria Police confirmed the piece of metal had “penetrated the windscreen and struck the driver.”

The Riv-Nail drive system is typically used in the mining, manufacturing and food processing industries to install rivets to attach metal clips to the end of conveyor belts.

The truck driver did not stop after the incident and was last seen driving towards Altona.

Victoria Police believe the piece of metal was a Riv-Nail drive system (pictured), a tool designed for maintaining conveyor belts

It is not known whether the driver was aware of the incident.

All lanes into Greensborough were closed between Ballarat Road and Sunshine Avenue following the collision.

Police want to speak to the driver and are calling on anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy of Victoria Police’s major collision investigation unit said it was “a tragic situation”.

“They’re trying to grieve the loss of a mother and a wife and they’re trying to help us as best they can and grieve these very, very sad circumstances,” he said.

The police have not yet found the driver and have called on the driver to come forward.

“If it is you and through a search of your equipment and tools you have identified that you are missing this item… please come forward and let us know so that you can assist us with our investigation,” Inspector McEvoy said.

Detective Sergeant Amos added that drivers must carefully secure their loads on trailers and trucks.

‘We have to try to find answers for the family of this poor woman because it is a very sad series of events and we want to find out why this happened and give some answers to (the family) who are unfortunately going to Christmas this year one person ‘ he said.

Mrs Cutajar (pictured) sadly died at the scene after the bizarre accident

‘We have to be more careful; If there is cargo on the trailer or truck, simply secure it. If you see debris on the roads, report it.

“We have to be responsible with what we do and until we start treating the roads with some respect.

“Unfortunately, I fear I will continue to do this for the rest of my life.”

Ms Cutajar was the only person in the vehicle when the metal object hit her car (photo from emergency services on scene on Thursday)