THE Lancefield community is mourning a 26-year-old man killed in a crash near Lancefield last week.
The man was driving east on Rochford Road, towards Lancefield, when his car ran off the road and struck a tree about 150 metres east of Bolgers Road about 1pm on Thursday. He was alone in the the car.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said passers-by attempted to give the man CPR as paramedics arrived.
They declared him dead at the scene just after 1pm. Police are investigating the crash. They said it appeared the man was not wearing a seatbelt.
The speed limit on Rochford Road, which is also called Woodend-Lancefield Road, is 100km/h.
Macedon Ranges highway patrol officer-in-charge Sergeant Geoff Neil said the car was extensively damaged and hardly recognisable.
"It's a collision that should not have occurred," he said.
"No doubt one of the prime factors here is speed.
"The only way of identifying the car was by the badge on the boot.
"It's another life lost and another family that will be grieving."
Since January 1. there have been five deaths on roads in the Macedon Ranges police area, which includes the Mount Alexander shire. Last year there were two deaths.
The road toll across the state is 150, which is 22 higher than the same period last year.
Anyone with any information on the crash is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or crimestoppers.com.au