Twist in horror Wantirna South crash

THE 15-year-old girl charged over the horror crash which killed a newlywed couple has been remanded in custody, as the owner of the stolen car involved in the crash claimed she saw it being driven dangerously at speed a day earlier.

The car being towed from the scene. Picture: Nicole Garmston

THE 15-year-old girl charged over the horror crash which killed a newlywed couple has been remanded in custody after facing court for the first time.

It comes as the owner of the stolen car involved in the crash claimed she saw it being driven dangerously at speed a day earlier.

Police allege the young girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and 19-year-old Eric Victorsen stole the $170,000 Lexus 4WD that ploughed into Matt Goland and Bita Zaeim’s car about 1am on Saturday.

TEENS CHARGED OVER ALLEGED FATAL HIT-RUN CRASH

Mr Victorsen, who appeared at court yesterday, was allegedly behind the wheel at the time of the high-speed crash.

His 15-year-old passenger smiled as she entered a children’s court this morning for a brief administrative hearing.

There were no family or friends of the teen in court, but a child protection officer and social worker were there to support her.

Matt Goland and Bita Zaeim.

The mangled wreck of their car. Picture: Nicole Garmston

She is charged with two counts of culpable driving as an accessory after the fact and one of car theft.

The girl made no application for bail but her lawyer flagged an application would be made, possibly before her next scheduled appearance next month.

It is her first time in custody.

Mr Goland 38, died in the crash. Ms Zaeim, 32, was pulled from the wreckage, but died before arriving at hospital.

The Lexus’s owner told the Herald Sun she followed the car, stolen from her Lysterfield home on Thursday night, after spotting it at 9am on Friday.

Mother of six Monna Mostafa said she immediately rang 000 and began following the car.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes: it was unreal,” she told the Herald Sun.

“So I went after him. I wasn’t going to let him go.”

She said she tracked the car while intermittently relaying information to police. She also said at one point the driver tried to reverse into the pursuing cars, narrowly missing hers.

She said it was like “something out of a movie”.

19-year-old charged over the double fatal hit-run in Wantirna.

Witnesses at the crash scene reported two occupants of the stolen car fleeing.

A 12-hour manhunt ended in the arrest of Mr Victorsen of Boronia, and a 15-year-old.

Mr Victorsen was charged with two counts of culpable driving and one of car theft.

A girl, 15, charged with two counts of culpable driving as an accessory after the fact and one of car theft is yet to face court.

Mr Victorsen, in a red shirt, did not apply for bail in a brief appearance at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday. It appeared he had been crying.

The court heard he had been diagnosed with an acquired brain injury and has intellectual disabilities.

He was remanded to appear before court via videolink on Tuesday.

Earlier, friends and neighbours of Mr Goland and Ms Zaeim, who had been married for only 12 months and had been on their way home to The Basin at the time of the crash, gathered to place flowers and cards at the accident scene.

Friends of the couple leave flowers and a ribbon inscribed with “We Love You M+B xxx The Dewars”. Picture: Sarah Matray

The couple had been married for only 12 months.

Tributes were flowing in for the couple after news of the tragedy spread.

On social media Paris Karelia wrote: “Rest in peace beautiful souls.

“Words cannot describe how devastated I am.

“Such a terrible tragedy. Completely and utterly shocked you’re gone.”

Many, including strangers, visited the crash scene on the corner of Boronia and Stud Rds in Wantirna South to pay their respects.

Wantirna South local David Armstrong brought his son there to mourn a couple he had never met.

“It’s tragic,” he said.

“Your thoughts are with the parents and you think about your own family,” Mr Armstrong said.

Ms Mostafa said she felt of guilty knowing her car was involved, but knows it was not her fault. “I keep thinking why didn’t I do anything else? But then what more could I have done to keep up with him? He was too erratic.”

A police spokesman said: “As this matter is currently before the courts it would be inappropriate to comment.”

[e-mail]

MORE HERALD SUN: FANS IN NASTY BRAWL AT PORT-GEELONG MATCH

MAYOR CANDIDATE PLEDGES FATHER BOB REFUGE