Police say ‘fast and furious mentality’ to blame for teen girl’s death in high speed collision

TRIBUTES have poured in for a dead 16-year-old after a high speed crash — but police have issued a blunt warning to other teens.

POLICE have slammed the “fast and furious mentality” gripping young Australians after the shocking death of a girl when a teen home invasion suspect allegedly crashed a stolen van while fleeing officers.

Jacqueline Vodden, 16, was a passenger in the van that was allegedly being driven by a 17-year-old male at speeds faster than 100km/h when it collided with a parked truck on Tuesday afternoon at Ballan, in Victoria’s west.

The force of the impact ripped the roof of the van off like opening “a tin can” and sent debris scattered hundreds of metres along the Western Highway. Police had been chasing the van in the minutes before the crash.

The 17-year-old then allegedly stole a car and fled the scene. He was arrested at Ballarat about three hours later.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said there was a “hard core element of young kids who that this fast and furious mentality just live for the moment — and this is an example where he is still alive and has killed his friend”.

The result was an incredible level of “carnage”, he said.

Jacqueline Vodden’s friends have left online tributes.

Police wanted to speak to the 17-year-old over a home invasion that saw him near Ballan which sparked a four minute pursuit.

“There appears to be a core element that think they can out run police and give it a crack and this is an example that it is simply not worth it,” Mr Fryer told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

“Her family is devastated,’ he added.

Jacqueline’s mother Naomi Vodden posted an emotional tribute to her daughter online that said: “I just want my baby back.”

Friends left their own tributes for Jacqueline who they remembered as a “beautiful angel”.

“I’m such a loss for words ... you were taken to soon, God gained another beautiful Angel, we had a fair few memories that’ll be missed,” one young man wrote.

The remains of the van crash. Picture: Channel 9.

“Fly high you beautiful girl ... I love you so much,” another friend wrote.

Another referred to the circumstances of the crash. “The saddest part is that you died thinking he was your friend, you died alone.”

A similar post said: “You’ve made us realise the price of the street life isn’t worth a life, isn’t worth the pain that we are all feeling! Rest in peace beautiful.”

The 17-year-old faced an out-of-sessions court hearing on Wednesday night where he was charged with culpable driving, dangerous driving causing death, conduct endangering life, theft of motor vehicle, aggravated burglary, burglary and other offences.

He has been remanded to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.

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