Two teenagers arrested, group on the run after allegedly stolen car kills innocent man in Burwood crash

The grieving sister of slain doctor Ash Gordon has slammed the state’s justice system after another innocent man was killed by youths on a violent crime spree in a Burwood crash.

The family of slain doctor Ash Gordon have slammed Victoria’s broken justice system after another innocent young man was killed by youths on a violent crime spree.

Four teenage thugs are on the run after ploughing their stolen car into another vehicle in Burwood on Tuesday night, which claimed the life of the driver inside.

The “cowardly” group fled the carnage on foot leaving their victim, a 28-year-old Ashburton man, to die on the road.

Two 15-year-old girls, who were also in the stolen Jeep and attempted to flee, were captured by a member of the public and on Wednesday night remained in custody.

The Herald Sun understands at least one of the youths travelling in the car was on bail.

A silver sedan smashed through a brick fence. Picture: Nine News

A black Jeep also slammed into a tree. Picture: Nine News

Natalie Gordon, whose brother Ash Gordon was allegedly murdered by two 16-year-old boys following a home invasion in January, said out-of-control youths had destroyed another innocent man’s life in Tuesday’s crash.

“This poor guy was just going about his life. He was not causing any drama to anyone else’s life and in an instant, his is taken away,” Ms Gordon said.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow. My brother was just in bed sleeping so that he could get up and treat patients the next day and they’ve just come in with no regard to anyone’s safety or privacy.

“People’s worlds have now been destroyed because of their actions.

“If they cared, even in the slightest, they would have handed themselves in.”

Ms Gordon earlier this year launched a petition calling for stronger police powers and for plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027 to be abandoned.

“We need the biggest reform when it comes to how we deal with them. Things like diversion orders and cautions are an absolute joke,” she said.

“They are asked not to do it again, they’re put on good behaviour bonds or they’re given a warning and let out on bail and they just do it time and time again.”

Ash Gordon died after a violent home invasion in Doncaster. Picture: Supplied

Dr Gordon with his sister Natalie, mother Catherine and father Glen.

The Herald Sun last month revealed more than 140 people have been injured in crashes involving cars stolen in aggravated burglaries in the past six years.

The police figures revealed 38 of 53 people hurt last year were innocent parties unconnected to the stolen vehicle involved in the collision.

Several lines of inquiries were being undertaken by detectives on Wednesday night to piece together exactly how the crash unfolded and where the teens had escaped to.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee had been stolen during an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne South on Friday before it was used for a pair of robberies in Ormond and Ripponlea on Sunday.

The Jeep on Tuesday had been travelling south on Warrigal Rd at high speed when it slammed into the victim’s Toyota, which was turning right onto Highbury Rd about 7pm.

The timeline leading up to Tuesday night’s deadly smash.

A brave passer-by, who restrained one of the 15-year-olds until police arrived, said the crash resembled an “explosion” and described the victim’s injuries as “horrific”.

“I grabbed one of the females and she threatened to bash me if I didn’t let her go and I kept telling (her) that you’ve just killed somebody,” he said.

The Major Collision Investigation Unit investigates. Picture: Nine News

The front yard of a local home is destroyed in the crash. Picture: David Crosling

Another man, whose brick fence was torn down in the smash, said he tried to revive the injured man to no avail.

“I got him out of the car, put him on the lawn and tried to revive him but obviously it was unsuccessful,” he said.

Four teenagers were captured on CCTV fleeing the scene just moments after, running south along Warrigal Rd before darting through Burwood Reserve.

They ditched several pairs of gloves and other items of clothing on the nearby football ovals before they walked down Queens Pde nearby.

The items found were on Wednesday night under forensic examination.

Investigators were also working to determine if the vehicle had ran a red light and were trying to work out who was driving.

The brick fence lies in ruins after the crash. Picture: David Crosling

A resident inspects the damage his front yard. Picture: David Crosling

Collision reconstruction experts were also working to establish an estimated speed the Jeep had been travelling at but the impact would suggest it surpassed triple figures with ease.

Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk labelled the actions of the teenagers who fled as “cowardly” as he appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

He revealed officers had spotted the stolen Jeep driving erratically on Monday but it “took off” and was unable to be followed.

“The impact was tremendous, it was a high speed impact, they knew someone would have been hurt in that vehicle,” he said.

“To leave a person either injured or killed in another vehicle and then run away is cowardly, it’s absolutely cowardly, it’s just outrageous, that’s what it is.”

Police continued to investigate the scene late into Wednesday night.

Officers conduct a line search of two footy ovals after the fatal crash.

A state government spokeswoman said what happened at Burwood was an unthinkable tragedy.

“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who lost his life,” the spokeswoman said.

“Details about the incident are still being investigated and we are in close contact with Victoria Police. We are confident police will apprehend those who are still on the run as quickly as possible.”

She said Victoria had more police on the beat than any other state of territory and that the force was targeting the worst young offenders, making 2700 arrests in the past year.

The mother of a teenager who is heavily entrenched in youth crime circles said the fatality came as no surprise.

Her son, 14, has now racked up hundreds of charges for serious offences including aggravated burglaries and car thefts.

She has been relentless in her efforts to change the state’s bail laws, fearing her son will cause a tragic crash like this.

“I have said a million times this is what was going to happen if they didn’t go hard on these kids,” she told the Herald Sun.

“I have begged and pleaded for this to change before someone was killed and now it has happened, because again they were arrested and bailed and reoffending.

“It’s disgraceful. The youth justice system needs to do more. Change the rules, because it’s not working.

“Remand these kids, make them accountable. Enough is enough. Stop the cycle.”

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au