Praveen Matcha: Caring friend and valued employee identified as victim of fatal bus crash near RAC Arena

The pedestrian hit and killed by a Transperth bus outside RAC Arena 10 days ago has been identified as a caring friend who “was a light in every room” as well as a loyal employee. Praveen Matcha was crossing the road on Wellington Street in Perth on June 20 when the Public Transport Authority bus turned right from Milligan Street and struck him, trapping him under the bus. Police said he died at the scene as a result of his injuries. The 45-year-old was on Sunday being remembered as a “valued” employee of Western Power for more than 16 years — where he most recently worked as the agency’s digital transformation lead. “Praveen was a valued and dedicated Western Power employee, and his absence has been deeply felt across our business,” the Western Power executive officer Sam Barbaro told The West Australian. “Our thoughts and condolences continue to be with Praveen Matcha’s family following his sudden passing as a result of a tragic incident on 20 June. “Support has been offered to Praveen’s family and our employees during this difficult time.” Former Western Power colleague and close friend to Mr Matcha, Palida Morrissey, started a GoFundMe on Sunday in an attempt to “give the family space to grieve” without the burden of financial stress. “We are all trying to hold up the best we can but imagine what his family members are going through during this heartbreaking time,” Ms Morrissey wrote. “He was a light in every room, known for his infectious smile, laughter, and the way he always encouraged us to be more and achieve more. “We are coming together to offer support emotionally and financially. “Whether you’ve known him for 15 years, 9 months or 10 days, you know how deeply he cared for us. “If you had the same privilege as me to work alongside him, to be motivated by him, to learn from him, or even became his friend, your life has been fortunate.” The West Australian understands Mr Matcha was married. Major crash officers charged a 37-year-old male bus driver with careless driving causing death, grievous bodily harm or bodily harm on June 23. The driver, from Piara Waters, was uninjured in the crash and will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court next month. WA Police Inspector Vic Hussey, who attended the crash, said it was a “very sad scene”. “Unfortunately, (there are) lots of people attending the RAC Arena at the moment,” he said. The crash happened about 15 minutes after WA netball team West Coast Fever was due to take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds at RAC Arena. Footage from the scene showed police comforting multiple people in the aftermath of the crash before they were attended to by paramedics. Mr Matcha’s death was the 23rd pedestrian killed in a road crash so far this year, putting WA on track for its worst year. The 23 people killed is already more than last year’s total of 22, and is the highest toll since 2013, when 31 pedestrians died in crashes. The deaths represent nearly a quarter of the 2025 road toll.