Two police officers charged with manslaughter after builder died in traffic arrest

Two police officers have been charged with negligent manslaughter following the death of a man from shocking injuries he sustained during an arrest for traffic-related offences outside a convenience store last year.

Builder Luke Briggs, 35, was unarmed when he was arrested at the corner of Heaths and Tarneit roads in Hoppers Crossing on July 15, 2024 and died in hospital from his injuries eight days later.

Victoria Police confirmed two police officers – a 29-year-old male constable and 45-year-old male sergeant both from North West Metro Region – have now been charged over Briggs’ death. They had been suspended since the incident.

Both officers have been bailed and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 12.

Briggs’ death came months after Steven Woodhouse, 30, died af