Helen Haines Critical as Police Investigate Wangaratta Collision

Independent Australian lawmaker Helen Haines remained in critical condition Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, as police investigated whether the collision was intentional. A 43-year-old man was arrested and remained in custody, authorities said. Haines, 65, was hit at about 3:35 p.m. Monday, October 19, on Murphy Street, Victoria Police said. The vehicle was a white Toyota LandCruiser. Police said a passerby detained the driver after he left the vehicle, and officers found and seized a knife inside it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Haines underwent surgery overnight and remained critically ill. He also said accounts from eyewitnesses indicated the car made a U-turn before striking her. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke separately said witnesses reported that the vehicle reversed and struck her a second time. Those details have been relayed by officials; police have not announced an investigative conclusion. Albanese described the incident as deliberate, but Victoria Police said investigators were still examining whether it was intentional. Police had not established a motive or determined whether Haines and the arrested...