By Gemma Grant
A teenager has been remembered as a passionate sportsman and a caring friend after he was killed in a collision in Melbourne’s south-east on Thursday afternoon.
Kai McDonald, 16, was sitting in the front passenger seat of an allegedly stolen Audi when it crashed into another vehicle, before it hit nearby trees and a power pole. He was taken to hospital, where he died.
Pakenham crash victim Kai McDonald. Credit: Facebook
The teenager’s mother, Samantha Wimshurst, said her son was “a good boy” and “just perfect”.
“He was loving, caring, he had empathy for others … He had his head in the game. He knew what he wanted to do,” she said.
An avid baseball player, Kai achieved a long-term dream of playing for his club’s senior side for the first time on Sunday.
The teenager had recently secured an apprenticeship as an electrician and was working towards obtaining his full qualification.
Major collision investigation unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Pakenham yesterday afternoon.Credit: Nine
“I don’t know how I’m feeling … I’m numb at the moment,” Wimshurst said.
Shane Fisher, a friend and teammate of the 16-year-old, considered Kai to be his “adopted son”.
“We were lucky enough that Kai came into our orbit. We felt like he was one of us straight away,” he said.
“He worked really hard ... He started feeling like everything was revolving the right way, and the world was spinning on the right axis for him.
“He was fearless, loyal, wholehearted with everything he did … We took him under our arm, wrapped our arms around him.”
Others from his sporting community have remembered Kai as a talented athlete, kind friend and caring person.
He was a new member of the Chelsea Baseball Club, where he quickly worked his way into the senior side. Previously, he played for a Bonbeach-based club.
Pakenham crash victim Kai McDonald. Credit: Facebook
“Baseball was his outlet, and he played with great passion, and it certainly showed. Everybody knew it,” said Jarad Curwood, of Bonbeach Baseball.
“He had a big presence on the field. There are a lot of broken hearts out there ... he was a good person.”
The teenager was also a player with the Carrum Downs Junior Football club.
“Kai embraced the club, his teammates and being part of our community,” a statement from the club said. “He always had a smile on his face and engaged with all involved ... Kai was part of the family.”
Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal crash. They allege that the vehicle was stolen during an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne North on November 17.
Kai was sitting in the front seat of the Audi when it collided with another car in Pakenham. The car flipped before crashing into trees and a pole near Windermere Boulevard.
Two other teenagers were in the car at the time of the incident.
The driver, a 16-year-old Pakenham boy, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. A 15-year-old from the same suburb was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police had received reports of erratic driving from the car in the lead-up to the accident.