15-year-old killed in horror Hume Highway crash where 14-year-old was driving

A 15-year-old is dead, a 14-year-old under police guard and a 12-year-old in hospital after a horror “joy ride” went wrong in Victoria’s north.

A 15-year-old is dead, a 14-year-old under police guard and a 12-year-old in hospital after a horror “joy ride” went wrong in Victoria’s north.

A 14-year-old girl is likely to be charged after she was behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen car when it crashed and killed passenger Montana Russell.

Montana, who lived in Wodonga, was in the front seat of the grey Holden Captiva wagon when the car collided with a truck on the Hume Highway just after 8am Wednesday.

Another child, a 12-year-old boy, was also a passenger in the car.

He was taken to hospital in a non-life threatening condition, alongside the driver who remains under police guard.

Montana Russell was killed in a car accident in Locksley. Picture: 7 News

The horrifying collision in Locksley came on day three of the Victorian school holidays with police saying the trio were involved in a “joyride” of a stolen car.

Family and friends have remembered Montana as a “beautiful” soul.

“Love u (sic) to the moon and back my beautiful girl,” Mel Russell, a grieving relative, said on Facebook.

“My heart goes out to you, at this very sad time, rip, another young angel sent to heaven way, to (sic) soon,” Toni Crighton posted on Facebook.

“Such a beautiful girl,” Tami Strange posted.

“I’ll miss not seeing your happy little face at my front door.

“Your side kick your shadow Zoe is totally devistated (sic) & can’t believe it’s true.

“Zoe’s world shattered into a million pieces today with the sad news of the tragic passing of 1 of the closest people in her life — her best friend Montana.

“Condolences to her family she is well loved & will be sadly missed.”

Emergency services closed off the Avenel-Longwood Rd and redirected oncoming traffic. Picture: Jack Colantuono

It’s believed the Captiva was stolen from Wangaratta.

45-year-old truck driver Clint Sneddon described the crash as “terrible”.

“They hit me that hard, I got jolted,” Mr Sneddon told Nine News.

“They were yelling and screaming.”

He said the road trauma would remain with him for life.

“That’s the sad part, I’m just an innocent person now I’ve got to deal with it,” he said.

“I don’t know what it is with these young kids, look where it’s got them. One’s dead, two have got to suffer for the rest of their life.”

Mr Sneddon is assisting police with their enquiries.

Truckie Clint Sneddon was involved in a car accident which killed a 15-year-old Montana Russell. Picture: 9News

Superintendent Michael Layton said the exact cause of the collision was being investigated.

“Clearly their car has made contact with the truck — and to our understanding at this point the truck was in the left hand lane but we don’t understand precisely what led to the collision,” Supt Layton said.

He said police received reports that a vehicle was driving “erratically” and were looking for it on the Hume Fwy.

He also added both vehicles were travelling north on the Hume Highway, near Alexandersons and Oxenbury roads, when they collided.

“We’re only speculating it to what the intent of the driver was — whether it was an overtaking maneuver or an error of judgement — I’m not sure,” Supt Layton said.

“The two passengers were both injured and both being treated in the Melbourne hospital — the driver is currently being treated for injuries.

“Quite tragically, before police had the opportunity to intervene, the collision was reported.”

A 14-year-old girl is likely to be charged after she was behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen car when it crashed and killed her 15-year-old passenger in Locksley Picture: 10News

Supt Layton said the trio were not related but were believed to all be friends.

He said it was “a matter for the experts” to discover whether speed, drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.

He said the 14-year-old driver would likely be charged with dangerous driving causing death.

It takes this year’s road toll to 150.