Leppington: Police pursuit ends in crash and fatality

A teenager has been denied bail following a fatal car crash where another 18-year-old boy was killed on Christmas Eve after allegedly being involved in a police pursuit.

A P-plater who was behind the wheel in a fatal car crash that cost the life of an 18-year-old boy has been refused bail.

Savyo Khamou, 18, sobbed as he appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday accused of causing the fatal accident in Leppington on Christmas Eve.

Khamou was driving a Mitsubishi Lancer with 18-year-old Nicholas Hoenselaars in the passenger seat along Camden Valley Way when he was allegedly clocked speeding.

Police allege Khamou was recorded on a LIDAR speed gun driving 113km/h in an 80km/h zone.

A Traffic and Highway patrol car followed the Lancer under lights and sirens.

The Lancer turned onto Heath Rd before crashing into a power pole on the corner of Eastwood Road about 11.20pm.

Nicholas Hoenselaars, 18, was killed on Christmas Eve.

The court heard on Saturday the impact of the crash catapulted both men from the vehicle.

Khamou suffered an arm injury while Mr Hoenselaars, an under-15s soccer coach and university student, died at the scene.

Defence barrister Greg James QC said Khamou didn’t suggest he saw the police car’s lights and sirens.

“There is an issue about his awareness of the pursuit …” he told the court.

Khamou had been on his P-plate driver’s licence since January and only had one speeding ticket on his record.

“Otherwise he has an entirely blameless traffic and criminal record,” he said.

In an application for bail, Mr James said his client, a trainee car salesman, could live with his parents under a curfew and subject to regular police checks.

There was no suggestion alcohol or drugs were involved at all, he said.

Prosecutor Nathan Blatch said the offence was two pronged — the initial speeding and then the police pursuit.

The magistrate found he posed an unacceptable risk to the community and bail was refused.

The case was adjourned to February.

Friends and teammates of Mr Hoenselaars visited the crash scene on Christmas Day to pay tribute to the “lovely” football fan.

Mr Hoenselaars graduated Year 12 at Cecil Hills High School and had been working part-time at the Ultimate Soccer store in Fairfield.

Bonnyrigg Football Club president Radenko Sucur said Mr Hoenselaars started playing football when he was six years old.

“He was one of our coaches,” he said.

“His dad played for the Bonnyrigg White Eagles and his mother was involved in managing some of the teams as well.

“He was such a lovely kid and he will be dearly missed. It was such a shock for everyone to wake up and hear the news.

“There is nothing but positive words to say about him, he was such a lovely kid who had a prosperous future tragically taken from him.”

A critical incident investigation will be carried out by Fairfield Police to examine the pursuit.