A woman who died after a truck allegedly failed to stop at a red light and crashed into the back of her motorcycle was a policewoman on her way to work.
The officer, who worked in the north western metro region, was on her motorcycle, travelling west on Boronia Road, Wantirna, when she stopped at a traffic light shortly before 9am.
A truck, also travelling west, allegedly failed to stop at the red light and ploughed into the motorcycle, trapping the woman under the vehicle.
Emergency services worked to free the woman from underneath the truck, but she died at the scene.
Victoria Police eastern region assistant commissioner Rick Nugent said the incident was "challenging" for police members who attended the scene, some of whom may have known her.
"There were people there not only dealing with the tragic loss of life, but with the tragic loss of a colleague," he said.
"Like with any loss on the roads, the impact is far greater than to the immediate family, including friends, extended family and work colleagues, regardless of the occupation of the person.
"In terms of police, because we deal with tragedy a lot, it's often confronting when we deal with our own people."
Assistant commissioner Nugent said the weather conditions at the time were clear and sunny.
The driver of the truck, a 26-year old Ferntree Gully man, was charged with culpable driving and dangerous driving causing death on Thursday night.
He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
In 2016, more motorcyclists died on Victoria's roads than in any previous year for more than a decade.
In total 56 were killed – 55 were riders and one was a 18-year-old pillion passenger. All of them were male.
Assistant commissioner Nugent said the policewoman was the first female motorcyclist to die on Victoria's roads since October 25, 2015 when another policewoman was killed.
A female motorcyclist has died after a collision with a truck in Wantirna this morning. pic.twitter.com/4IqvgWh8Nr
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) January 11, 2017
This incident takes Victoria's 2017 road toll to six, compared with five this time last year.