Police investigating speed in Yass fatal crash that killed Jaiken Bell
Police sources have revealed the likely reason a Canberra teen died in a crash in NSW as those close to him prepare to farewell the Aussie rules footballer.
Canberra Star
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Police are investigating speed as a factor in the tragic crash that claimed the life of a Canberra teenager in Yass.
A passer-by found Jaiken Bell along Yass Valley Way at 9.10am on January 29 after his car was discovered in a gully beside the road.
He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
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Police say the 18-year-old Flynn teen was driving in the early hours of that morning when his car left the road and crashed into a tree.
It then careered into a ditch 7m from the roadway.
It is understood Mr Bell was not discovered until later that morning because of long grass in the area.
One of the many tributes left at the site reads “JB, Forever 18”; others included signed AFL footballs and flowers.
Yass Police Inspector David Cowell said investigators were determining whether speed was a factor in the crash.
Inspector Cowell issued a plea to motorists to drive to the conditions and obey speed limits so they could arrive at their destination safely.
“Every serious crash like that is difficult for the families and the first responders,” he said.
Belconnen Magpies president Scott Reid said on February 2 the club was devastated for the teenager’s family.
Mr Reid said the Rising Stars player was known as a “coach’s dream” at the club and a genuine friend to those around him.
“Jaiken was just an infectious young bloke as well, he touched a lot of people and was a great person to be a teammate of,” he said.
A fundraiser was launched earlier this week for the funeral service on Friday as well as to provide financial assistance for Mr Bell’s family.
“Jaiken was a kind, quiet and beautiful young man who was taken too soon,” the GoFundMe read.
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“The world is a little less sunny without his light here but Jaiken will live in the many hearts he touched throughout his 18 years.”
Mr Bell will be farewelled at the Chapel of Norwood Park Crematorium in Mitchell at 2pm on Friday, with a wake to be held at the Gungahlin Lakes Club from about 3.45pm.
In a post on Facebook, the Belconnen Magpies AFL club encouraged mourners to wear their club polo shirts to honour the promising footballer.
Another young NSW man died in similar circumstances in November when his Audi A4 was found down an embankment on the Pacific Motorway in Bonville four days after a fatal crash.
Jack Crittle, 26, was discovered by a truck driver who was stalled in highway traffic after an unrelated crash.
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