Grant Stevens pens emotional letter introducing the 101st life lost on our roads – his son Charlie

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has released a heartbreaking letter introducing “101” – the 101st life lost on South Australian roads this year, his youngest son Charlie.

• What we know about Charlie’s death

A heartwrenching handwritten letter penned by grieving South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has paid tribute to his son.

Commissioner Stevens released the letter – which has been met with an outpouring of emotion across the nation – introducing South Australians to “101”, the 101st life lost on our roads this year, his youngest son, Charlie.

Page 1 of the letter from Grant Steven about 101 – his son Charlie.

Page 2 of the letter.

“I am writing this sitting in a bedroom with dirty clothes on the floor, an unmade bed, six drinking glasses lined up on the bedside table, an empty KFC box next to the glasses, wardrobe doors left open and a row of skateboards leaning on the wall – it is a mess and it’s perfect. This is where 101 lived,” he wrote.

“101 arrived on the 28th of April 2005 and changed our lives forever. The last of five – he was different. Cheeky, intense and funny – a loveable ratbag from the moment he could talk. He was as frustrating as hell, but he was also the kid who would look after others, befriend the lonely and help those who were struggling.

“Intensity shone through as 101 committed to each new passion – Lego, BBL, scooters, footy, cricket, basketball, surfing, downhilling, Fortnite and his skateboard – it was all or nothing and it was always all.

“101 hated cheese because his brother did. He was a master of the airfryer, the nutrabullet and the steamer. He loved his mum’s curries sausages but he didn’t know where the dishwasher was.

“His favourite pastime was pushing mum’s buttons – although a different name on his birth certificate, “f** off Charlie” was what you would hear most in our house, followed closely by “put a shirt on” and “take your hat off at the table.

“101 loved footy. He loved the Cats, he played 100 games for the Mitcham Hawks, then the Jets, the Goody Saints, the Camels and Westies, he just wanted to play and be part of the team.

“It was 101 who taught us you can’t shower unless you have your bluetooth speaker fully cranked so mum and dad can’t hear themselves talk in the kitchen. 101 never wanted for soap, shampoo or shavers – someone else in the house always has it – even a used towel!

“His enthusiasm for school saw no bounds – except start time and school work. But his Enthusiasm for his family and his mates was real.

Charlie Stevens and Grant Stevens. Picture: Supplied

“101 has a circle of friends the rest of us could only dream about. He loved his mates and they loved him. His friends’ parents liked having 101 in their homes. He was mates with his brother’s mates. Living with him meant waking up on weekend to four or five extra bodies in spare beds and on couches. It meant the family garage being transformed into a man cave where things parents did not know about (or probably permit) could happen.

“101 is Charles Stevens – Charlie, Charlie Boy, Chas, Links, Steve. You lived life and gave so much to so many. You were a force of nature and we will never forget your beautiful cheeky, disarming smile.

“Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friends, workmate, teammate. So much more than just a number on a tragic tally.”

In a class act, the family used the release of the letter to raise awareness on the importance of organ donation, asking those reading this to talk about organ and tissue donation with their family and friends.