A Melbourne man who was tragically hit and killed by a driver who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel has been remembered as a “compassionate” and loving brother.
John Bato was on his usual morning walk on Saturday when a car swerved onto the footpath and ploughed into him along Dalton Rd, Epping about 10am.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tributes grow for innocent retiree killed in horrific crash.
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The 63-year-old retiree died at the scene.
Floral tributes are now growing at the crash site, with his family struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Bill Bato described his brother as “loving” and “always compassionate”.
“It’s so sad that he disappeared this way, it’s ridiculous, I’m still coming to terms (with it),” he said.
“It shocked us.
“Those couple of minutes have ruined our lives forever.”
Police alleged the driver was asleep behind the wheel at an intersection just moments before his car mounted a curb, smashed through a pedestrian crossing barrier and hit John.
It then continued along the footpath before crashing into a pole and a building.
The 27-year-old driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.
He remains in hospital in a now stable condition as detectives wait for him to be medically cleared to be formally interviewed.