Accused driver, 16, arrested over fatal hit-run in Preston before being granted bail

A teen has been granted bail after he was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen BMW that crashed into and killed 19-year-old motorcyclist Davide Pollina.

Police at the scene where a stolen BMW was involved in a fatal crash with a motorcyclist. Picture: 7News

The teenager alleged to have been behind the wheel of a stolen BMW that crashed into and killed teenager Davide Pollina has been released on bail.

The 16-year old was arrested at a home in Melbourne’s northeast on Saturday.

He was charged with eight separate offences including dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and aggravated burglary.

He was then given bail.

Davide Pollina, 19, was killed when a stolen BMW hit his motorcycle.

One week on from the tragedy, the Pollina family are “devastated” that the accused driver has been released, and say they fear he will reoffend.

Two boys aged 16 and 17 have also been arrested and released on bail in connection with the fatal incident.

The alleged driver is set to face a children’s court next month.

Mr Pollina’s funeral will be held at the end of this week, with his ashes to be sent home to his family in Italy.

Premier Jacinta Allan refused to “cut across a court process” at a press conference on Sunday when she was asked if she understood why the family might be upset at the decision to bail the teen.

The revelation comes as the Victorian government voted through reforms to strengthen bail laws in the midst of a youth crime crisis.

The reforms included raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12, but not to the earlier proposed age of 14.

Laws will also be toughened to ensure bail is refused if there is an unacceptable risk that the person could reoffend.