Tributes for Cammeray crash victim as police reveal the group had done a drug rip

Fresh information about what a group of North Shore teenagers had been up to before their car slammed into a tree at Cammeray, killing one and seriously injuring four others.

The scene of the crash in Cammeray. Picture: Len Walker

A teenager who died in a high-speed crash at Cammeray had allegedly been involved in robbing a drug dealer before leading police on a wild chase.

Seth Perrin, 18, was in the back seat of a car which slammed into a tree and burst into flames last Sunday, critically injuring the unlicensed driver and four other teenage passengers.

Perrin, who was the registered owner of the Holden Commodore but was not driving it, died in Royal North Shore Hospital on Thursday night from horrific head and burns injuries.

A 16-year-old Mosman girl who was allegedly at the wheel, a 17-year-old Mosman male and a 16-year-old Glenwood girl remain in hospital, while a 16-year-old male from Mosman has been released into the care of his family.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal police believe the group had tried to steal drugs from a teenager at Wollstonecraft, and were fleeing the scene of the robbery when the crash happened.

Seth Edwards Perrin, 18, who died after the horrific crash at Cammeray last Sunday. Picture: Facebook

The group had planned to meet a 17-year-old at 4pm, where some of them proceeded to rob and assault him, police said.

A witness to the assault called police and gave a description of the car, which officers found soon after travelling at high speed through North Sydney.

Seth Edwards Perrin was the owner of the car that slammed into a tree, but was not driving at the time. Picture: Facebook

Police began to pursue the vehicle, but had to call off the chase when the car crossed to the wrong side of the road and reached speeds up to 150km/h.

The driver eventually lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a tree in West St, where the car then burst into flames.

Friends of Perrin said he was a “great mate” whose death had rocked his hometown of Wollongong, and his new community in Hornsby.

“(He was) always so nice to everyone. But I haven’t seen him since he moved away,” one friend said.

Others simply posted “RIP Seth” on social media.

In an unrelated matter, Perrin was due to face Hornsby Local Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for breaching an Apprehended Violence Order.

Two of the students in the crash attend Mosman High School. A NSW Department of Education spokesman said: “Our condolences go out to the victims, friends and family of those involved.”

No charges have been laid.