Crash victim Charlie Stevens to be honoured in celebration of life at Adelaide Oval
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has paid tribute to his son Charlie Stevens, who died in an alleged hit-and-run while celebrating schoolies.
A twilight service will be held to celebrate the life of Charlie Stevens, the son of South Australia’s top cop, who was killed in an alleged hit-and-run while celebrating schoolies.
The tragedy made headlines around the country, and television presenters were left in tears after SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his wife released a tribute letter to their youngest child.
Charlie Stevens, 18, was the 101st person to be killed on the state’s roads this year.
He suffered an irreversible brain injury when he was allegedly hit by a car while near Goolwa Beach, south of Adelaide on November 17.
Police announced on Friday night a celebration of life will be held in honour of the 18-year-old on November 30 in the William Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval.
Earlier in the day, South Australian Police Acting Commissioner Linda Williams announced an independent lead investigator would to take charge of the investigation, saying the high public interest in the crash and the involvement of the police commissioner’s son warranted such.
“An independent lead investigator has been engaged to provide oversight of the Major Crash Investigation Section investigation,” she said.
“Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham from Victoria Police will be temporarily appointed to SAPOL as a Special Constable to undertake this task.
“He will have control for the direction and outcome of the investigation and facilitate any brief of evidence to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
Charlie’s death, the 101st fatality on South Australia roads this year, has rocked the state.
The first details of the alleged hit-and-run emerged in court documents on Monday.
Three witnesses, who say they were waiting with Charlie on Beach Rd for a shuttle bus to take them back to Victor Harbor from Goolwa Beach, say they flagged down the accused driver, Dhirren Randhawa, 18, to see if they could hitch a ride.
There was not enough room in the car and the witnesses say Mr Randhawa drove away before making a U-turn.
He then allegedly sped up and started travelling on the wrong side of the road before hitting Charlie, court documents reveal.
There is no suggestion of animosity between the groups.
But Montana Rose Bowd, an eyewitness from inside Mr Dhirren’s car, tells a different story, according to the court documents.
Ms Bowd states some males were on the western side of the road and partially on the footpath, but there was also a male on the eastern side of the road.
She says a male from the eastern side ran across the road into Mr Randhawa’s car, according to the court documents.
She states Mr Randhawa then drove a short distance before calling his mother and asking whether he should turn himself into a police station or call the police.
As he was talking to her, the police arrived and arrested him, she said.
The court granted Mr Randhawa bail and he left the court with his mother and supporters in the late afternoon, moving through a scrum of media into a waiting car.
Charlie, 18, suffered irreversible brain damage in the smash and Mr and Mrs Stevensand their four older children, Sophie, Dylan, Josh and Tom, said their goodbyes to Charlie at Flinders Medical Centre alongside extended family.
Charlie died at 7.01pm on November 18.
The police have charged Mr Randhawa with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of a crash after causing death and failing to truly answer questions.
If he is found guilty, he faces a maximum jail term of 15 years and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for 10 years.
Mr and Mrs Stevens paid tribute to their son in a public letter, addressing him as “101”.
“I am writing this sitting in a bedroom with dirty clothes on the floor, an unmade bed, six drinking glasses lined up on the bedside table, an empty KFC box next to the glasses, wardrobe doors left open and a row of skateboards leaning on the wall – it is a mess and it’s perfect. This is where 101 lived,” the parents write.
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“101 is Charles Stevens – Charlie, Charlie Boy, Chas, Links, Steve. You lived life and gave so much to so many. You were a force of nature and we will never forget your beautiful cheeky, disarming smile.
“Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friends, workmate, teammate. So much more than just a number on a tragic tally.”
Mr Randhawa will next appear in court at Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.