Dhirren Singh Randhawa court appearance over alleged Schoolies fatal hit-run that killed Charlie Stevens
The first details about the collision that killed the Police Commissioner’s son have emerged in court documents – as the charged man was released from custody.
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The driver charged with killing the son of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens did a U-turn, sped up and was on the wrong side of the road at the moment of impact, court documents allege.
The documents, filed with the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday, further claim Charlie Stevens had asked Dhirren Singh Randhawa for a ride back to Victor Harbor shortly before the alleged hit-run.
Mr Randhawa was granted bail at a court appearance on Monday afternoon where Director of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton KC personally took on the matter.
The paperwork, filed by prosecutors, formally charges Mr Randhawa, 18, of Encounter Bay, with causing death by dangerous driving based on the accounts of three eyewitnesses who were with Mr Stevens at Schoolies on Friday night.
However, the document also records a second version of events, given by an eyewitness seated in Mr Randhawa’s car.
She told police that Mr Stevens “ran across the road, into the path” of Mr Randhawa’s car, resulting in the collision.
Mr Randhawa, 18, of Encounter Bay, has yet to plead to causing death by dangerous driving and the lesser, alternative charge of aggravated driving without due care.
The apprentice barber and Victor Harbor High School graduate is further charged with leaving the scene of a crash after causing death and failing to truly answer questions.
SA Police allege he was the P-plate driver behind the wheel of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf hatchback that struck Mr Stevens on Beach Road, Goolwa, about 9pm on Friday night.
Mr Stevens, 18, of Colonel Light Gardens, suffered an irreversible brain injury as a result of the crash and died in hospital on Saturday night, surrounded by friends and family.
Police further allege Mr Randhawa failed to stop following the incident, and was later pulled over on Port Elliot Road at Goolwa.
Following Mr Randhawa’s arrest, his family hired former Nine Network newsreader Georgina McGuinness’ crisis PR firm to represent them.
They issued a statement expressing their “deepest possible sympathies” to the Stevens family.
In their “facts of charge” document, lodged with the court on Monday, prosecutors recount police interviews with Mr Stevens’ three friends.
They allege the witnesses and Mr Stevens had been waiting for the Schoolies shuttle bus to take them back to Victor Harbor.
They further allege the group “flagged down” Mr Randhawa as he drove past to see if they could get a ride, but there was not enough room for them all.
There is no suggestion of animosity between the groups.
The documents allege that, as Mr Randhawa drove off, the witnesses were standing on the grass verge on the road’s western side while Mr Stevens was near the south-bound traffic lane.
The group was, they allege, walking toward the gravel verge when Mr Randhawa’s car performed a U-turn, started to travel on the incorrect side of the road and struck Mr Stevens.
That version of events, the documents say, is disputed by the witness in Mr Randhawa’s car.
She allegedly described observing a few males on the western side of the road, and partially on the footpath, and another male on the eastern side of the road.
They allege she said the male on the eastern side of the road ran across the road into the path of Mr Randhawa’s car.
The witness, they allege, said Mr Randhawa drive a short distance away and called his mother to ask whether he should call police or attend a police station in person.
During that conversation, the witness allegedly said, police arrived and Mr Randhawa surrendered himself.
Just before 2pm, Mr Hinton KC arrived at court to personally handle the case.
Mr Randhawa’s barrister, top silk Jane Abbey KC, arrived shortly after with her solicitor.
Just after 2pm, Mr Randhawa’s mother Amreeta Stara arrived at court.
She was ushered inside by a female minder who linked arms with her – Ms Stara declined to answer questions about her son.
In court, Mr Hinton said he did not oppose Mr Randhawa being released on bail – provided certain restrictions were imposed.
He asked Mr Randhawa reside with his mother, and that she agree to forfeit $15,000 should he not answer his bail.
“I also ask this young man surrender his passport and that he not be in the driver’s seat of a vehicle,” he said.
“I understand that his licence has been disqualified (upon his arrest), but I still ask for that order … there should be a blanket ban on him being in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.”
Mr Hinton further asked Mr Randhawa be banned from contacting four people on a list provided to the court.
Ms Abbey said her client was prepared to obey those conditions, and that his mother was prepared to sign that guarantee.
The court remanded Mr Randhawa on that bail agreement to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.
Just before 4.30pm, Mr Randhawa was brought out of the cells and into the courthouse, dressed in a black T-shirt, loose brown pants and white socks without shoes.
His mother was waiting for him, but they were told they could not embrace nor have any form of physical contact until after both had signed his bail papers.
After having his bail agreement explained to him and signing the document, Mr Randhawa hugged his mother.
He was handed his belongings, including his shoes, in a plastic bag before they met with lawyers and supporters in one of the courthouse’s small interview rooms.
A short time later they left the building, passed waiting media, and left in a car without commenting or responding to questions.
On Tuesday morning, two cars – a Fiat and Audi Q7 – were parked outside the property in the quiet ocean-side town.
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