The Stevens family have paid tribute to 18-year-old Charlie, who died after being hit by a car
The Stevens family have paid emotional tributes to 18-year-old Charlie, who was killed after being hit by a car on Friday.
SA News
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“It breaks my heart my days of being a big brother have come to an end,” Tom Stevens, the older brother of Charlie Stevens who was struck by a car at Goolwa Beach has said.
The Police Commissioner’s older son, 21-year-old Tom, took to Instagram to pay tribute to his 18-year-old brother writing “forever in our hearts, forever young and beautiful”.
“My best mate, my biggest rival, my number one fan, my little brother Charlie.”
The tribute, accompanied by two photos of Charlie, garnered hundreds of comments sending condolences to the brother.
Charlie Stevens, 18, died in hospital after an alleged hit-run crash at Schoolies near Victor Harbor.
He was flown to Flinders Medical Centre where he was placed on life support with an irreversible brain injury, as family raced from interstate to be at his bedside.
Tragically, SA Police later said Charlie – the son of the state’s police commissioner, Grant Stevens – passed away in hospital at 7.01pm on Saturday surrounded by family and friends.
In a heartbreaking Facebook tribute, his mother, Emma Stevens, posted a photo of her youngest son with the words “Forever 18 my beautiful boy, going to miss you and love you for ever”.
This is the second time the family has been struck by tragedy following the death of Charlie’s maternal aunt Belinda Price in May.
The emotional service, led by Mr Stevens, remembered her as a “special person”.
Friends also took to Instagram to pay tribute to their beloved friend.
Xavier Conway posted two photos with the caption: “forever 18 Steve, keep kickin it up there”.
Another friend, Ryan Stanley, posted a heartfelt tribute expressing his love for Charlie.
“Fly high my boy you and all our memories will stay with me forever love u heaps bro,” he wrote.
Other friends paid tribute on the platform with one young girl saying Charlie made her smile like no one else.
“You have the most contagious smile, I smile differently around you. I love u,” Charlize Brogan wrote.
Charlie’s former high school Mercedes College paid tribute to their pupil posting to Facebook “Vale Charlie Stevens – loved member of the class of 2023”.
“While he left the college in 2022 to pursue a carpentry apprenticeship, he has remained closely connected to his friends and school mates,” the private school wrote.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, close friends and everyone who knew and loved him.
“May he rest in peace.”
Mitcham Hawks Football paid tribute to their junior player who played 100 games for the club calling him a “cheeky and courageous player”.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Grant and Emma, Dylan, Josh, Sophie and Tom and their family and friends at this extremely difficult time,” a social media post read.
“Words seem inadequate to express our sadness over the passing of Charlie Stevens.”
The president of the Goodwood Saints Football Club, Jordan Dodd, paid tribute to Charlie, writing on Facebook: “Charlie has always been an effervescent presence and a pleasure to coach, and well loved within and outside his team”.
“Our love and thoughts are with Grant and Emma, children Sophie, Dylan, Josh and Tom and their family and friends throughout this extremely difficult time.
“No words could quantify the pain that you must be feeling, and the whole of the club is here along side you.”
Mental health support programs have been made available for players and families, particularly within the under 17.5 boys team and their families in the coming days.
West Adelaide Football Club also paid tribute to their former player posting to Instagram.
“Once a blood, always a blood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Stevens family during this time of the passing of Charlie.
“May he rest in peace.”
Unley Football Club paid tribute on social media to their under 16’s player who paid 14 games in 2021.
“Words cannot describe the devastation the Jet family is feeling by the sudden tragic loss of former Jet, Charlie Stevens,” the post said.
“We send our love and support to the Stevens family, who have been a huge part of our club and our local community for many years.
“Rest in peace Charlie.”
Nicholas Swingler posted to Facebook on behalf of Sturt Football Club’s medical and training staff extending his condolences to the Stevens.
“To lose a life so young and vibrant is a senseless, unnecessary tragedy which has reaching consequences for all those involved and all those that were graced by Charlie’s presence,” he wrote.
“Wrap your arms around all that you cherish.”
Leader of the federal opposition of Australia Peter Dutton, a former police officer, posted to Facebook a tribute to Charlie.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Stevens family following the horrible and tragic accident involving their son Charlie,” he wrote.
“Grant and his family have given so much to the people of SA and this is a truly heartbreaking event.”
State politicians also posted their messages of support to Facebook including Police Minister Joe Szakacs who wrote: “Grant has always put South Australians first. Our love is with the Stevens family. This is an unimaginably difficult time for the SAPOL family”.
MP Louise Miller-Frost wrote “Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, his wife Emma and family are in my thoughts today at this difficult time”.
Adelaide Oval has posted a statement to social media extending its “deepest sympathies to Grant, Emma and the Stevens family following the passing of Charlie”.
“Our thoughts are with them and the broader (South Australian Police force) through this challenging time,” the statement read.
Sports Minister Katrine Hildyard gave her condolences to the Stevens family.
“Like all South Australians, I hold their beautiful family in my heart and say that all of South Australia will be there for them in the incredibly difficult times ahead,” she said.
“We are so very, very sorry.”
The 18-year-old’s life was the 101st lost on South Australian roads compared to 61 at the same time last year.
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