Elanora Heights: P-plater charged over death of teen in crash could face 10 years’ jail if convicted

A 17-year-old P-plater, charged over the death of a teenage boy in a Saturday night crash at Elanora Heights, faces 10 years in jail if convicted.

Northern Beaches Police collect evidence at the scene of the fatal car crash in Caladenia Cl, Elanora Heights on July 18 where a 17-year-old boy died. The driver of the car is now before the Children’s Court on a string of charges. Picture: News Corp

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A P-plate driver charged over the death of a teenage boy in a Saturday night car crash on the northern beaches is facing 10 years behind bars if convicted, a Children’s Court heard today.

The driver, 17, was allegedly behind the wheel of car with six teenagers on-board when it smashed into a stone and iron fence at Elanora Heights last month.

The scene of the car crash in Caladenia Cl, Elanora Heights, the morning after a car, with six teens on-board, smashed through a stone and iron fence late on July 18. Picture: David Swift

A boy, a year 11 student at a northern beaches high school, who was sitting in the back seat of the Holden Commodore, died from critical head injuries in the crash in Caladenia Pl at 11.10pm on July 18.

The driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for mandatory blood tests. The other passengers – three 16-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl – were also taken to hospital to be checked as a precaution.

On July 28, the driver was arrested at Manly Police Station.

A damaged car in Caladenia Cl, Elanora Heights. Picture: News Corp

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death; negligent driving occasioning death; not comply licence condition – drive with more than one passenger under 18 years of age after 11pm; drive with four unrestrained passengers; sustained loss of traction and; drive in a speed/manner dangerous.

The driver was granted conditional bail and the matter was set down for Surry Hills Children’s Court on August 12.

The accused was not present in court for his first appearance today, but was represented via telephone to the court by a lawyer.

The wrecked fence in Caladenia Cl. Picture: David Swift

Magistrate Jeffrey Hogg said that under Section 52A of the Crimes Act the driver, if convicted of dangerous driving causing death — a strictly indictable matter — was liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

Mr Hogg asked the lawyer if his client was ready to enter a plea today, but the lawyer said he was instructed not to enter a plea until they had seen the full brief of evidence.

The magistrate ordered the brief be served by September 23 and adjourned the matter to October 7 when a plea must be entered.

Bail was continued.