P-plater drunk, speeding before Tootgarook fatal, police allege

A P-plater accused of killing a much-loved teen skateboarder in a horror crash on the Mornington Peninsula last week was drunk and speeding, police allege.

Brandon Phongthaihong did not appear in court today charged over Friday’s fatal car crash at Tootgarook. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A P-plater accused of killing a much-loved teen skateboarder in a horror crash on the Mornington Peninsula last week was drunk and speeding, police allege.

Brandon Phongthaihong was a no-show in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today where he faced one charge of culpable driving causing the death of 17-year-old Rosebud student Timothy Hocking in Tootgarook on Friday.

He is also accused of seriously injuring two other teenage boys who were in the Mazda when it mounted a roundabout and crashed into a tree just after 1am on April 12.

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Timothy Hocking, 17, who was killed in the Tootgarook crash. Picture: Supplied

Charge sheets reveal Mr Phongthaihong is accused of speeding and driving while under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred.

The court heard he may have suffered a fractured spine and possible cracked wrists following the crash and his defence lawyer requested he receive further medical assessment.

Half a dozen young men and women were present in court for the brief filing hearing and were later seen crying outside court.

His lawyer confirmed it was Mr Phongthaihong’s first time in adult custody and made no application for bail.

Mr Phongthaihong was remanded in custody until August 18 for a committal mention.