Richie Powell and Jess Lee Donker pictured in 2009 on her Facebook page.
Richie Powell and Jess Lee Donker pictured in 2009 on her Facebook page.
A father-of-two has died after he was mowed down by a car in a suspected domestic dispute as his partner is charged with his murder.
Richie Powell, 32, was walking with a suitcase along a Sunbury road, in north-west Melbourne, when he was struck down and killed in an alleged hit-and-run yesterday morning, reports the Daily Mail.
His partner Jess Lee Donker, 29, who allegedly fled from the scene in the car, has been with one count of murder.
She was remanded at an out of sessions court hearing and will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
The charge comes after emergency services were called to the scene about 6.15am yesterday following reports that a man had been hit by a vehicle in the carpark.
"And then, finally she got him with that, she hit a pole, he was behind a pole ... And she got him.
"She stopped the car to have a look. And she started screaming and then she went back to the car, spun up the road."
Jess Lee Donker and Richie Powell photographed with their children.
Another witness recalled they saw Powell walk down the road without a shirt on as he talked to himself and appeared "distressed".
"He was just a bit distressed," a witness said.
"He was muttering and talking."
One of Powell's relative rushed to his aid, leaving his car with the boot opened in the middle of the road -- close to where he was allegedly struck, 9 News reported.
Another witness thought someone was doing doughnuts in the carpark after hearing the loud sound of screeching tyres.
As police piece together the events leading up to the incident, neighbours reported hearing regular arguments between the pair.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Nick Densley believed a "number of events" may have led up to the incident between the couple.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
