‘Gut-wrenching’: Families, police speak one year since horror Eastern Freeway crash tragedy

One year ago, Todd Robinson heard the knock on the door he had always dreaded.

He hadn’t heard from his beloved partner, police officer First Constable Glen Humphris, in hours.

The news would confirm what he had feared ever since Glen had stopped replying to his texts.

Glen would not be coming home.

He had been one of four officers killed by an ice-addled trucker on the Eastern Freeway at Kew, hit in the emergency lane after they had pulled over a Porsche driver for speeding.

First Constable Glen Humphris, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Joshua Prestney lost their lives in the line of duty.

On the anniversary of their deaths, Mr Robinson shared a moving tribute to the man he loved.

“Each and every day, police officers put their lives on the line for our community, and it is the worst fear of every partner and family member to receive that knock on the door,” he said.

“This was one of the most gut-wrenching experiences of my life, and despite the tragic circumstances, I want to use this opportunity to remember Glen as the smiling, bubbly and beautiful man that he was, and the love we shared for each other.

“He touched many people in his life, and many people cared for him.

“I want these stories and memories of joy and optimism to be forever remembered.”

Porsche driver Richard Pusey disgusted the nation when he filmed the officers and swore as they died.

“You c**ts, I guess I’ll be getting a f**king Uber home, huh,” he said on the video recorded on his own phone.

Other witnesses at the scene implored him to help but instead he shrugged and said: “They’re dead.”

He has since been described by a judge as “probably the most hated man in Australia”.

He will be sentenced for outraging public decency, drug possession, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and speeding next week.

Truck driver Mohinder Singh had barely slept in days and was hallucinating a witch when he ploughed into the officers at 5.36pm on April 22, 2020.

He had been heavily using ice, even dealing it from his truck less than an hour before the crash.

He will spend at least 18 years and six months in prison.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the anniversary of the heartbreaking day was a hard one for police.

“Today we come together to remember our fallen colleagues who were killed while carrying out their duties on this day last year,” he said.

“The deaths of four of our own continues to be felt right across the police force.

“The deaths of our colleagues struck at the very core of Victoria Police and brought home the sobering reality of the inherent dangers that come with police work.”

“Today we remember the lives of Lynette, Kevin, Josh and, Glenn, who gave their lives while protecting others. We think of their families, as we mourn alongside them.”

Families, friends and colleagues came together at the Victoria Police Academy chapel on Thursday to remember the lives of the fallen officers.

The service included the laying of four wreaths for each police officer killed and a one-minute silence.

A minute’s silence will also be held on police radios at 5.36pm, with police stations across the state flying the Australian flag at half-mast from dawn on Thursday and landmarks to be lit up in blue.

Flinders Street Station, the Bolte Bridge and the MCG will be among the locations lit up in Victoria Police’s traditional blue as a tribute to the fallen officers.

The family of Josh Prestney — Andrew, Belinda and Alex Prestney — said the force had become a second family since Josh died and their world “fell apart”.

He was only 28 years old when he was killed.

“It has now been one year, but the memory of how that night unfolded is as clear and as painful as if it happened yesterday,” the family said in a joint statement.

“We will never get used to this, get over this or move on from this. If we are lucky, time may soften the edges of our grief, but the loss of our son and brother has left scars that will never completely heal.

“Josh’s guitars have fallen silent, the music he loved is no longer pumped around the house and there is no more witty banter across the dinner table or cheering at the footy.

“Our son was generous, loving, discerning and honest, with a deep love of family and for his partner Stacey. He was eager to excel in his new career with Victoria Police.

“We all miss him so very much.”

The Victorian government has announced a state memorial service – which was delayed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic – will be held on National Police Remembrance Day on September 29, 2021.

Police and Emergency Services Minister Danny Pearson said planning for the service had commenced and would be organised in consultation with the officers’ families.

“The state memorial service will serve as a fitting tribute to these officers and as an opportunity for all of us to pay our respects to these fallen heroes,” he said.

Acting Premier James Merlino said the hearts of all Victorians were with the four families on Thursday.

“In lighting up our city’s most famous landmarks, we continue to honour the legacy of those four officers – and the service of every member of Victoria Police,” he said.