Horror as pedestrian is fatally struck by machete-wielding driver who had two young children in the backseat

A pedestrian has died after being struck by a car allegedly driven erratically by a knife-wielding man who had two small children in his vehicle.

Western Australian police were called about 11am on Tuesday to reports of a man driving erratically in a silver Holden Commodore in Bayswater in Perth’s east.

The Commodore collided with a Ford Ranger and drove off before allegedly hitting a 52-year-old man on Rose Avenue a short time later.

The seriously injured pedestrian was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital where he died a short time later.

Police arrested the driver a short time later near the scene of the fatal crash after he reportedly crashed into a traffic light.

Two young children were found in the backseat and were unharmed.

A man in his 30s is currently in police custody and undergoing a medical examination. No charges have been filed yet

WA Police Inspector Jason Van Der Ende told media the driver was allegedly involved in a series of alarming incidents leading to the fatal collision.

Witnesses reported seeing a man allegedly armed with a knife holding up traffic and behaving erratically in Perth’s east on Tuesday

A man has died after a Holden Commodore crashed into him in Bayswater. The driver was arrested a short time later after allegedly crashing into a traffic light

The knife-wielding driver is said to have slashed the tires of another vehicle and threatened to kill witnesses

“It is believed the driver of the silver Commodore was behaving erratically in the area, possibly armed with a knife,” he said.

“This is a traumatic incident for everyone involved, but I would like to reassure the community that we have the incident fully under control.”

Major Crime Division detectives are still piecing together the timeline of events leading up to the fatal accident.

Witnesses reported seeing a man violently intimidating a man during a chaotic episode on the streets of Perth on Tuesday morning.

One witness described how the man targeted a Ford Ranger, slashing all four tires as the driver took shelter inside.

“The man in the silver Commodore got out with a machete and started threatening to kill him,” the witness said 7News.

A man in his 30s is currently in police custody and undergoing a medical examination

A man was taken into custody and two children were left in the backseat of a crashed sedan

Witnesses reported seeing the man threatening drivers and shouting incoherently in the street

‘He hits the driver’s window with the machete. He walked around and slashed all four tires so he couldn’t get away.’

Traders in the area reportedly armed themselves with stones to ward off the driver.

Another witness claimed the man also stopped traffic on Skew Road, allegedly blocking vehicles with his car before confronting the drivers.

‘He stopped myself and another car by driving head-on towards the car in front of me. Luckily they stopped before it hit them,” she said WToday.

“Then he got out, screaming and banging on our cars, yelling that he was going to run us over.”

According to the witness, the driver appeared irritated and confused.

‘He was shouting things like: ‘I’m looking for my father, where is he?’ It was very scary.’

Authorities are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident to come forward as investigations continue.