It was the most serious of 10 accidents in the Greater Shepparton region in a week.
Police said the 22-year-old Orrvale woman was the driver of one of two cars which collided at the intersection of Orrvale Rd and Poplar Ave at 10.35 am.
Police believe a white Toyota wagon was travelling east along Poplar Ave and a black Hyundai sedan was driving north on Orrvale Rd before the cars collided, but the exact circumstances of the crash are unclear.
The Orrvale woman, who was driving the Hyundai, was flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, where she remained in a critical condition on Tuesday evening.
A 42-year-old Point Cook man, who was the only occupant of the Toyota, was taken to Goulburn Valley Health in a stable condition with upper body injuries.
The road was closed until after 8 pm on Monday night.
Police are appealing for witnesses, and urging anyone who has dashcam footage or has information which could help police with inquiries to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Shepparton Highway Patrol Senior Constable Matt Walker said there had been an unusually high number of car accidents in the Greater Shepparton area on Sunday and Monday.
“It seemed to be excessive. More than normal,” Sen Constable Walker said about the number of crashes.
He personally attended five car accidents across the two days.
Among the other accidents was one involving four cars outside Wilmot Road Primary School on Monday around school pick-up time.
Sen Constable Walker said two cars which were being driven, and two parked cars, were involved in the crash on Wilmot Rd around 3.45 pm.
He called for anyone who saw the accident or has dashcam footage to call him at Shepparton police station on 5820 5777.
Another of the accidents was a two-car collision on Tuesday morning on the corner of MacIsaac Rd and Ardmona Rd at Ardmona – a crash where police said it was lucky there were not more serious injuries because of the higher speed zone involved.
Sen Constable Walker urged drivers to slow down and drive to the conditions on the road after several of the crashes occurred during or after Monday’s rain.
“As the weather changes and we get rain, and frosts are coming soon, take care on the roads and drive to conditions,” he said.
He also said he was surprised at the number of people involved in some of the more minor collisions he attended who did not have car insurance.
“People don’t realise the risk they’re taking by not being insured,” he said.
“You should at least have third party to protect yourself.”
Shepparton Highway Patrol was also kept busy on the weekend, conducting a police operation targeting hoon behaviour.
Four cars were impounded since Friday night in the Greater Shepparton area, including three for cars that were caught allegedly driving at more than 45 km/h over the speed limit and one for an unlicensed driver.
Several cars were also found to be unroadworthy, with bald tyres or that had been modified to have a road clearance too close to the ground.
Police also lodged several notices with the Environment Protection Authority for cars that were too loud.
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