The man filmed driving a four-wheel-drive erratically in Western Australia that crashed in a fatal head-on collision had been attempting to "start over again" after a "very bad year".
The driver, identified as Shaun Southern, was filmed driving a green Toyota Landcruiser along the Bussell Highway in Capel, a townin southwest WA, on Saturday.
Witnesses described the man behind the wheel as "crazed" and "going nuts" in his car.
Shaun Southern indicated he had been struggling financially. Photo / Facebook
The rampage ended when the apparently out-of-control Landcruiser swerved into the path of oncoming traffic, driving on the wrong side of the road before ploughing into a white Rav4 killing driver 61-year-old Jenni Pratt, and injuring her passenger, Karen Williams, 54.
Southern was also hospitalised following the deadly crash in a critical condition.
Homicide detectives are awaiting improvements in his condition so he can be formally interviewed.
According to The West Australian the 45-year-old had been living alone in a caravan park on the outskirts of Bunbury, close to Perth.
The man is understood to be a divorced father of two children, and was employed as a fly-in, fly-out worker in the Pilbara.
Social media posts from Southern indicate he recently moved in to a Bunbury carpark after being evicted from another caravan park in the coastal town of Leeman. He was believed to be having financial problems that led to him being unable to pay rent, telling friends he had lost money in what was a "long story".
In a Facebook post published in August, Southern said he had had a "very very bad year so far", and was moving and "starting over again".
Jenni Pratt died at the crash scene. Photo / Channel 7
He had been seeking casual work and selling off his belongings.
Since the incident, the man's social media profile has become a log of hateful messages with friends and strangers posting messages wishing the man would "die in prison" and "burn in hell".
Other commenters intervened suggesting Southern be left alone "for his children's sake".
On the day of the crash Southern was seen fishing on Wonnerup beach, north of Busselton.
One woman who claimed to have seen him earlier in the day said his behaviour was concerning and that she had called the police, while another account suggested he did not appear agitated.
Southern had not been wearing a seatbelt when he was seen driving completely erratically on Saturday ahead of the 4.45pm crash.
A witness who was first at the scene of the fatal crash said he had been following the car for around 10 minutes because he was worried an innocent person would be hurt.
Homicide detectives are waiting for Southern's condition to improve so they can interview him. Photo / Facebook
Dylan Mateljan began filming the Landcruiser after calling police capturing terrifying vision of the car taking out street signs and forcing other vehicles off the road.
Witnesses said it appeared the driver looked like he was "trying to hit someone".
Pratt was unable to escape the path of the vehicle before it smashed into her Rav4 and exploded in a fireball.
The TAFE worker has been remembered as a woman who "always saw the best in everyone".
"Mum's brightness, beautiful smile and the way she listened and cared, meant that so many people lived and relied on her as a companion, someone to confide in and a true friend," a statement provided by her family said.
Southern was flown to Royal Perth Hospital where he remains in a critical condition and is expected to survive.
