Unlicensed teen driver had previously been on bail but it was lifted in March
A 17-year-old boy who had previously been on bail was allegedly behind the wheel in the horror Burwood smash. It’s been revealed his white sneakers helped police track him down.
Police & Courts
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A 17-year-old boy allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen car that killed an innocent motorist had previously been on bail with a curfew restriction, a court has heard.
The boy, who was allegedly unlicensed and is being reported as a student at an elite Melbourne Catholic boys’ school — faced a children’s court on Thursday.
He was allegedly among six teenagers in a stolen Jeep Cherokee which was travelling at speed and erratically when he struck and killed another driver, a 28-year-old Ashburton man, in Burwood on Tuesday night.
The boy faced a children’s court on Thursday, where it was revealed he had previously been on bail with restrictions including a curfew, but his bail was lifted in March.
Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk told the court police were not informed that the boy’s bail had been removed and officers conducted a curfew check on him after the crash believing the restriction was still in place.
He said the boy was in bed and had the doona pulled over him, with his mother saying he had been home since about 7.30pm.
The court heard the boy was identified as the driver of the stolen car because phone data placed him near the scene and his white sneakers matched with CCTV footage of a youth exiting the driver’s side door.
“They’re quite distinctive, they stand out,” Senior Sergeant Von Tunk said, noting the other alleged offenders were wearing dark-coloured clothing.
He said the car was stolen last week and used by three unidentified offenders - one wielding a machete - during an armed robbery of a smoke shop.
The detective said police believed the boy returned home and switched his phone off after the crash.
He said the teenager was arrested on Wednesday night in Malvern East, with police seizing items including clothing and a phone hidden under a bed.
The court heard a large machete, vapes, perfumes and boxes of gloves were among the items found inside the stolen vehicle.
Senior Sergeant Von Tunk said the stolen vehicle was travelling at high speed when it crashed into the victim’s Toyota, which was turning right on to Highbury Rd about 7pm on Tuesday night.
The crash was captured on dash-cam footage with the Toyota spinning around and coming to rest against a fence.
The Jeep continued and crashed into a tree, before its six occupants allegedly fled on foot.
The driver of the Toyota did not leave his vehicle and died at the scene.
The youths were allegedly seen pulling off latex gloves which were later recovered by police.
Two of the girls allegedly involved in the crash were stopped by passers-by and taken to a children’s hospital under police guard.
The court heard one of them identified the boy as the driver of the stolen car.
A prosecutor requested 12 weeks to prepare a brief of evidence, saying it would take time to complete collision reconstruction and autopsy reports.
Senior Sergeant Von Tunk said the Jeep was taken to a forensic services centre and would be searched and analysed over the coming days.
The boy is charged with culpable and dangerous driving causing death, unlicensed driving, theft of a motor vehicle and failing to stop and render assistance.
Prosecutors applied to have him physically examined but the application was adjourned to Friday.
Senior Sergeant Von Tunk said he expected the youths would have suffered injuries such as glass cuts and bruising from seat belts given the seriousness of the crash.
“I can only assume they were worn because the accused is seated in court today,” he said.
The court heard it was the boy’s first time in custody.
He will return to court on Friday.
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