Police say they had yet to attempt to intersect a speeding vehicle when it veered off the road west of Melbourne and crashed into a tree, killing the driver.
The Ethical Standards Department (ESD) is investigating the death and police have yet to determine if the incident should be classified a police pursuit.
A 24-year-old Kangaroo Flat man died on the Bendigo-Maryborough Road at Lockwood about 2pm (AEST) Sunday, shortly after police moved to intercept him for speeding.
Police say a patrol car spotted the utility allegedly speeding in the opposite direction and radioed through a description to another police patrol car nearby.
The second police vehicle spotted the utility and started making a u-turn to intercept the driver. Within seconds the utility crashed into a tree, killing the driver and sole occupant at the scene, police say.
"At this stage, it is believed the members had not yet attempted to intercept the vehicle prior to the collision, however police are still investigating the circumstances to determine whether or not it should be classified as a police pursuit," Victoria Police says in a statement.
ESD is overseeing the investigation into the crash.
