PICTURED: Newlywed, 27, and her best friend killed when a Landcruiser ‘ran a red light and slammed into their car’ – as driver accused of fleeing the scene is arrested
- The two woman killed in horrific car crash had a ‘brilliant’ future ahead of them
- Photos of the pair reveal their vibrant social life and close personal friendship
- Police said footage appears to show the driver of the other vehicle ran a red light
- The man in his 50’s has been arrested and questioned, and remains in custody
The father of a young woman who was killed alongside her close friend when a four-wheel-drive collided with their car has paid tribute to his ‘brilliant’ daughter.
Lauren Prothero and Paige Ward, both 27, were driving in Cooloongup in Perth’s south on Friday night when their Nissan Micra was hit by a Landcruiser.
Ms Ward died at the scene while Ms Prothero, who was driving the vehicle, was rushed to hospital but couldn’t be saved.
Paige Ward (left) and Lauren Prothero (right) were both killed when a Landcruiser allegedly ran a red light and collided with their vehicle
Police said the two men in the 4WD (pictured) fled the scene without attempting to render assistance, the driver, in his 50s, was found in a nearby McDonald’s and the other on the run
Police said the driver of Landcruiser appeared to run a red light and did not offer assistance to the pair.
The man in his 50’s was later arrested by police after being found at a nearby McDonald’s.
He remains in custody.
Ms Ward’s devastated father visited the horrific crash scene on Sunday.
‘I just couldn’t get over how such a brilliant person could be taken away from us,’ he told The West Australian.
‘She had a brilliant future. In her work she was senior physio down here at the hospital and she had a wonderful boyfriend.
Ms Prothero’s father said she had a wonderful boyfriend and a ‘brilliant’ future ahead
Ms Prothero worked as a senior physiotherapist at a Perth hospital
Lauren Prothero and Paige Ward are pictured together with friends before Ms Ward’s January wedding
‘They were just about to get together and live together. He’s a smashing guy, so what a future they had together – that’s been taken away from us and I just don’t know how it could happen. It’s just surreal.’
The two women were long-time friends who had attended Kolbe Catholic College in Rockingham.
Ms Ward was a newlywed who recently tied the knot with her partner Jacob Dodds in January.
The two were just 800 metres from Ms Ward home at the time of crash.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage is asked to contact police.
Ms Ward was a newlywed who recently tied the knot with her partner Jacob Dodds
Ms Ward was just 800 meters away from her home at the time of the tragic crash