Four lives lost as car and truck crash on major freeway

All were in a sedan that collided with the B-double at an intersection of Hume Freeway in Chiltern at 10.30am on Thursday.

The 30-year-old truck driver was taken to a local hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

The truck was heading north on the freeway when the car attempted to turn left from Wenkes Road, Victoria Police Acting Inspector Joel Hughes said.

The exact cause of the crash was still being investigated.

"It's terrible, unfortunately in regional Victoria this year we've seen a number of lives lost in our roads and this is another tragic incident," Acting Insp Hughes told reporters.

The truck driver works for Ron Finemore Transport, whose managing director Mark Perry said the man and his family would be supported.

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the people in that car, their families and friends and loved ones," Mr Perry told AAP.

He said the driver was not speeding, following discussions with police and after looking at the company's technology.

"We know that he'd just come off a 12 hour break so he was probably less than one hour into his shift," Mr Perry said.

"He was tested at the site for alcohol and that was clear.

"Then he's been taken to hospital for his mandatory drug testing and seeking assessment for shock so we'll just make sure we take care for him there."

He said the company would continue to work with police and provide them with footage from the truck to assist the investigation.

"We've got a group caring for the driver and his family," he said, adding that the company provides counselling services to all employees and their extended relatives.

The number of lives lost on Victorian roads this year has reached 193, up from 157 at the same time in 2022.

Acting Insp Hughes said police were still working to identify the victims and contact family members.

Traffic has been diverted away from the area and it's not known when the roads will reopen.

Australian Associated Press