Bayview fatal ute crash: Driver, 17, charged over death of 16-year-old mate

A 17-year-old P-plate driver allegedly behind the wheel when his ute hit a tree and his mate, 16, was killed, has been hit with a string of serious charges. See the latest

Emergency services at the scene of a fatal road crash on Cabbage Tree Rd, Bayview on October 7, where a ute with six teens hit a tree. The 16-year-old front seat passenger died. Pix supplied

A teenage P-plate driver has been charged over the road crash death of his mate on Sydney’s northern beaches.

The boy, 17, has been hit with 10 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death, after a utility he was allegedly driving slammed into a tree at Bayview early on October 7.

There were six teenage boys in the Toyota HiLux when it left Cabbage Tree Rd just after midnight.

A front seat passenger, a 16-year-old northern beaches’ boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital. He died a short time later.

Flowers and tributes at the crash scene on Cabbage Tree Rd, Bayview. Picture: Damian Shaw

The ute driver, who held a P1 red provisional licence, was flown by helicopter to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital at Camperdown in a critical condition.

Four other occupants, aged 16 and 17, of the ute were treated for serious injuries.

In a statement released on Monday, police confirmed that the driver was arrested at a home at Bayview last Thursday, October 26, after an investigation by the police Crash Investigation Unit.

The teenager was taken to Manly police station and charged with 10 offences including dangerous driving occasioning death, two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, two counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle, and three counts of negligent driving.

He was also charged with Learner/P1/P2 driver passengers (over 16) not wear seatbelts and P1 driver older than 25 drive at night with more than one passenger.

The Toyota ute being tken from the crash site on October 7. Pix supplied

The boy was granted strict conditional bail by police to appear at a children’s court on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

His licence was also suspended.

Police are still keen to speak to anyone with information about the incident. They are urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.