Passenger left for dead in stolen car after Burwood Highway crash

A Reservoir teenager killed in a horrific crash in Burwood, and abandoned in his dying moments by the driver, has been remembered as a “really good kid”.

Reservoir teenager Bill Hexter is being remembered as a “really good kid” after he was killed in a horrific crash on Tuesday night in Melbourne’s east.

Mr Hexter was a passenger in an allegedly stolen Subaru, with the male driver fleeing the scene on foot, abandoning him in his final moments.

Best friend Isaac, 15, who visited the scene on Wednesday night to pay his respects said he was “absolutely shattered”.

“He was just a really good kid, really funny guy,” he said.

“Everyone just loved him. No one had an issue with him, even outside of school.”

Reservoir teen Bill Hexter.

Tributes at the scene of the fatal crash.

Flowers and tributes have been left on the power pole where Mr Hexter lost his life, with many writing LLB – “Long Live Bill”.

One tribute reads “rest easy you soulja, gone too soon”, while another reads “fly high Bill”.

A friend posted on Facebook: “You will be forever in (our) hearts and minds”.

“You (were) just left there to die by a so-called friend,” she said.

“(He) was not a friend, he’s just one very cold person with no heart or soul at all.

“He gets what’s coming.

“Any normal person with a heart would (have) stayed there with (their) mate, no matter what the consequences were for them.”

A GoFundMe was created to “help lay our beloved Bill to rest”, so far raising $895 of its $10,000 goal.

“Our good mate was tragically taken away suddenly in a car accident at the age of 15,” the fundraiser read.

“Bill had an impact on everyone he came across … he will deeply be missed.

“We are (raising) money for Bill’s family to help give him the send-off he deserves as his passing was completely unexpected.”

The crashed care at the corner of Renown St and Burwood Highway. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Police and workers at the scene, where the car crashed into a pole. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Investigators are searching for the driver, who allegedly fled on foot after crashing the stolen car into a pole on Burwood Highway on Wednesday morning.

A Victoria Police spokesman said checks revealed the vehicle was stolen from Reservoir overnight between July 15 and 16.

Assistant Commissioner for road policing Libby Murphy told 3AW the male driver had “done a runner”.

Witnesses saw the driver exit the car — a silver 2008 Subaru Tribeca — with facial injuries.

“If anyone has seen anyone with unexpected facial injuries, please contact Crime Stoppers,” Ms Murphy said.

“We’ll catch them … I implore that person who is involved to hand themselves in.”

“It’s only a waiting game.”

The pair only a few hours earlier stole petrol from a 7-Eleven in Blackburn South accompanied by another vehicle, a dark-coloured Mazda with the rego BBS895.

Burwood Highway resident Darunee, who did not wish to use her surname, called triple-0 when she heard her neighbour yell for help, with the crumpled Subaru coming to a halt right at her front fence.

Darunee said while she was on the phone with emergency services in the rain, the driver began to walk quickly away from the scene and tried to avoid crossing paths with her.

“From what I could see, he was chubby and wearing a black hoodie,” she said.

“I didn’t see his face.”

Darunee said that only a few minutes after she saw the driver, police arrived on the scene.

The car involved was stolen from Reservoir last week. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Some residents on the nearby street lost power for close to an hour, after the car hit the power pole.

Local Julian Cassar said the crash sounded like a “bolt of lightning”. He described leaving his house to see debris strewn across the end of his street.

Another local, Vishnu Sankar, said what he heard on Tuesday night sounded more like a gunshot than a car crash.

Buses are replacing the Route 75 trams between Somers Street and Vermont South.

Burwood Highway remains closed to inbound traffic between Station St and Middleborough Rd as investigators examine the scene.

Drivers should use Highbury or Canterbury roads around the closure.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, has dashcam footage or any information regarding the whereabouts of the driver is urged to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via crimestoppersvic.com.au.