Elizabeth East man, 19, charged with causing harm by dangerous driving after five young people hospitalised in St Kilda crash
A teen has been charged over a horror crash that left him and four other young people in hospital – with one young passenger now fighting for her life.
Police & Courts
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A teen driver has been charged over a horror crash that left him and four other young people in hospital – with one young passenger now fighting for her life.
SA Police on Sunday afternoon confirmed a 19-year-old Elizabeth East man has been arrested and charged with four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving and one count of driving disqualified after his car collided with a tree on Saturday afternoon.
About 5.20pm, emergency services were called to St Kilda Rd after reports a Ford Explorer SUV with five occupants had collided with a tree.
An 18-year-old Elizabeth Grove woman who was sitting in the front left passenger seat suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
A 20-year-old woman, 19-year-old man and 23-year-old man were also in the vehicle – all of which were also hospitalised.
Major crash officers attended the scene and while investigations into the crash are ongoing, the driver has since been charged.
He is expected to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March next year.
The charges come after a horror weekend on SA roads, with four people losing their lives since Friday, including a motorbike rider at Wattle Flat.
Superintendent Shane Johnson from the Traffic Services Branch of SA Police on Sunday warned road users that officers would be out in force in the days leading up to new year’s celebrations.
“This weekend, the last weekend of the year, South Australia has tragically recorded more deaths,” Superintendent Johnson said.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families, friends and communities impacted by the tragic loss of life. We should all be celebrating the festive season, not mourning the loss of loved ones.
“This festive period has been truly heartbreaking,” he said.
He said some people clearly aren’t getting the message that they need to be cautious on the roads.
“Despite all our enforcement and education efforts, which will be ongoing, some people just don’t get the message,” he said.
“We will continue to be highly visible on our roads in our efforts to influence driving behaviour.”
Superintendent Johnson said police will be out on the roads leading into the new year, and they will be focusing on the fatal five contributors to lives lost and serious injuries on our roads.
“Drivers, please buckle up. Please don’t speed. Don’t be distracted, put your mobile phones away. Don’t drive dangerously and don’t take unnecessary risk. Don’t drink or drug drive.
“Police will be conducting random breath testing and drug driver testing. If you do drink or drug drive, we will stop you, you will lose your license and we will take you car.
“Let’s make this period leading into the new year a safe and festive one for everyone.”
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