A man accused of going on a deadly rampage in Perth’s east, allegedly killing a father-of-two, has been identified.
Raymond Henry Pianto, 29, from the Great Southern has been charged with the murder of Peter Stonza, who died after he was allegedly struck by Mr Pianto’s car.
Mr Pianto is also charged with reckless driving, being armed and criminal damage, as well as assault over an alleged separate incident on Saturday.
It was alleged Mr Pianto was driving a silver Commodore and hit a Ford Ranger with his car, threatened the occupant of the Ranger and slashed all four tyres.
Mr Stonza’s employer Ross Hogan said the alleged offender approached several workers in Bayswater before Mr Stonza was killed.
The boss at TNE Civil said the construction workers were on their lunch break eating sandwiches on a bench when the accused went up to them asking if they had seen his dad over and over.
Mr Hogan said Mr Pianto left and returned in his car striking Mr Stonza who was unable to get out of the way in time.
Mr Pianto was taken into custody at the scene and was medically examined on Tuesday.
Mr Sponza was on his lunch break at a Metronet construction site at Bayswater in Perth’s east when the tragedy unfolded about 11am on Tuesday.
Pianto was allegedly armed with a knife and acting erratically struck Mr Sponza with his car moments after he had hit another vehicle and slashed its tyres with a machete.
Mr Sponza was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital but later died, despite the desperate efforts of his workmates and emergency services.
Mr Hogan said Mr Sponza’s workmates tried to resuscitate him at the scene before emergency services arrived.
“I went to the hospital thinking there was some hope, because the boys said he was breathing and they had felt a pulse,” he said.
Mr Hogan has set up a fundraiser for Mr Sponza’s children.
The Peter Sponza GoFundMe page has already raised more than $16,000 which will go to the Smith Family Foundation to help Mr Sponza’s children.
Inspector Jason Van Der Ende said it had been a traumatic incident for everyone involved.
“Two young children were in the car, who were thankfully unharmed,” he said.
“This matter is complex and will take some time to investigate.”
Mr Pianto has been remanded in custody and will appear in the Stirling Magistrates Court on January 22.