Family of teen arrested over the alleged hit-run crash that killed Charlie Stevens speaks out

The family of a teenager charged over an alleged hit-run crash that killed the youngest son of the state’s top cop, has expressed sorrow ahead of his first court appearance on Monday.

Charlie Stevens and Grant Stevens. Picture: Supplied

The family of a teenager charged over an alleged hit-run crash that killed the youngest son of the state’s top cop, has expressed sorrow ahead of his first court appearance on Monday.

Dhirren Randhawa, 18, is accused of fatally striking 18-year-old Charlie Stevens, whose father is Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, at Goolwa Beach during Schoolies celebrations on Friday night.

The accused’s family, who have engaged a high-powered King’s Counsel legal silk and a public relations crisis operative, have expressed their sorrow amid a flood of tributes that have continued to be paid to Charlie, an apprentice carpenter and former Mercedes College student.

Dhirren, a former Fleurieu Peninsula apprentice barber, was in police custody last night after Major Crash officers upgraded his charges following Charlie’s death on Saturday night.

Dhirren Randhawa. Photo supplied by family.

18-year-old Dhirren Randhawa is the driver accused of killing Charlie Stevens at Goolwa. Picture: 7NEWS

Dhirren, a provisional licence holder of Encounter Bay, is due to appear in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday after being refused police bail.

Major Crash officers on Sunday charged him 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 convicted, he faces a maximum 15 years in jail and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for 10 years or such longer period as the court orders.

He was initially charged with causing serious harm by dangerous driving among other charges.

Charlie Stevens died after being hit by a car at Goolwa Beach. Picture: Instagram

His family are expected to attend court in support for Dhirren, a former Victor Harbor High School graduate.

It is unclear if he will apply for bail. In a statement, the accused driver’s mother expressed her sorrow.

“I extend my deepest possible sympathies to the Stevens family and my heart is breaking to think of the suffering and pain they are experiencing,” she said.

“Out of respect and acknowledging that this is now a matter for the courts, I won’t be saying anything further at this time.”

Friends told how the close family, who are well-known in the local community, are devastated at the crash, which is believed to have occurred near the Stevens family’s beach house.

They described the accused as a “good kid”, who was close to his single mother, his two younger sisters and loved his two pet Akita dogs, Hachi and Bella, who he walked daily.

He also helped rescue other dogs in the area.

Dhirren, who had been dating his high school sweetheart for the past year, has never had an alcoholic drink, taken drugs or smoked cigarettes, his family said.

He had aspirations of being a doctor, relatives said.

He was an apprentice barber at a Goolwa hairdressers this year, during which his bosses reported him being among their most popular workers.

He was considering further university studies.

A mourner lays flowers in tribute to Charlie Stevens at the scene of the crash. Picture: Ben Clark

The family, who declined further comment, have hired former Nine Network newsreader Georgina McGuinness to handle the media fallout.

They have also engaged barrister Jane Abbey, KC to help with his legal case.

Police will allege the magnetic blue 2011 Volkswagen Golf hatchback, which Dhirren was allegedly driving, failed to stop before officers pulled it over on nearby Port Elliot Road, at Goolwa.

Officers are also investigating if he was allowed to drive that specific model. The suspect vehicle was towed from a spot a few kilometres from the scene for a forensic examination.

Asked on Sunday if officers were investigating whether a confrontation occurred before the crash, a police spokeswoman said: “Major Crash Investigation Section are investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash.

“There is no further information.”

The car involved in the alleged hit and run. Picture: Gary Juleff

Charlie, of Colonel Light Gardens, died at 7.01pm in Flinders Medical Centre on Saturday night from catastrophic injuries, including an “irreversible” brain damage, after the crash on Beach Road just after 9pm on Friday. The popular teen, who lost his aunty Belinda Price, 48, earlier this year from pancreatic cancer, died surrounded by family and friends after his life support was switched off.

Mr Stevens, who has taken indefinite leave, his wife Emma, and their four other children were being comforted at home on Sunday.

They were too distressed to publicly comment. They had earlier thanked police, first responders and other emergency services workers who attended the incident.

“The Stevens family also wish to thank the wider community for their support during this difficult time, in particular the family acknowledge the dedicated staff at the Flinders Medical Centre for their care and support of Charlie and his family and friends,” they said.

Major Crime investigators initially attended the Beach Rd scene to investigate initially. The fatal crash is now being solely investigated by Major Crash officers.

In a statement police said: “Major Crash Investigation Section is in charge of this investigation. Major Crime has no involvement.”

The tragedy happened on the same day as Mr Stevens grappled with the death of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, 53, who died from a gunshot wound on a remote property at Senior, near Bordertown, in the upper South-East.

Brevet Sergeant Doig, from Lucindale, was the first South Australian police officer to die from a shooting in the line of duty in four decades.

Speaking at a road trauma event at Prospect on Sunday, the officer in charge of Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Darren Fielke, said the crash was a “stark reminder this can happen to everybody”.

He said: “It’s been a tough week for the police family. It’s going to test our resolve, our resilience, our strength.

“It’s kind of poignant that it’s World Remembrance Day for Road Trauma Victims.

“The timing of it is crazily ironic, but it should also show the community of South Australia that it can affect anyone.”

Speaking on behalf of the state government on Sunday, Police Minister Joe Szakacs said: “South Australia’s heart is broken for the Stevens family”. “The loss of a loved one under any circumstances for anyone is too much to bear but for Grant and for his wife, Emma, and for his family, we mourn with them,” he said.

Originally published as Family of teen arrested over the alleged hit-run crash that killed Charlie Stevens speaks out