Everything we know about the tragic death of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’ son Charlie

The youngest son of SA’s top cop has been killed in a shocking alleged hit-run at Schoolies. Here’s what we know so far.

As South Australians continue to come to grips with the death of the state’s top cop’s son after an alleged hit-run during the state’s Schoolies festival, the accused driver has faced court for the first time.

Here is what we know about the crash that has shocked the state.

Charlie Stevens and father Grant Stevens. Picture: Supplied

What happened when Charlie was hit by the car?

Charlie Stevens was hit by a car at Goolwa Beach about 9pm on Friday, November 17, as school leavers assembled across the Victor Harbor area to celebrate the annual Schoolies festival.

A weekend meant for celebrating the end of school soon turned to grieving as witnesses described youths shouting for help as Charlie was struck by a car and critically injured.

The young school-leaver was flown to Flinders Medical Centre where he was placed on life support with an irreversible brain injury, as family raced from interstate to be at his bedside.

Tragically, SA Police reported Charlie passed away in hospital at 7.01pm on Saturday, surrounded by family and friends.

The alleged driver of the car in the incident, 18-year-old Encounter Bay man Dhirren Singh Randhawa, did not stop at the Beach Rd scene but was found a short time later at nearby Port Elliot Rd, Goolwa.

Who was Charlie and who is his high-profile dad Grant Stevens?

Charlie Stevens attended Mercedes College and was a talented sportsman, playing football for Mitcham Hawks.

He was working as an apprentice carpenter.

He was the son of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, a prominent figure across the state and notable for his leadership as the state navigated its Covid pandemic response.

Premier Peter Malinauskas told ABC Adelaide breakfast radio Commissioner Stevens was a “strong man of extraordinary integrity” and a “human being who loves his family”.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“For the news to emerge that Commissioner Stevens and his beautiful family have had to endure this heartbreaking tragedy is difficult to comprehend and difficult to put into words,” he said.

“I think the outpouring of South Australians more broadly speaks to the compassionate society we live in, particularly in difficult times.”

How has Charlie’s family responded?

In a Facebook tribute, his mother, Emma Stevens, posted a photo of her youngest son with the words “Forever 18 my beautiful boy, going to miss you and love you for ever”. His older brother, Tom, said: “It breaks my heart my days of being a big brother have come to an end.”

Commissioner Stevens and his wife Emma thanked first responders and other emergency service workers who attended the incident and the “caring and supportive” staff at Flinders Medical Centre.

“Commissioner Grant Stevens and wife Emma would like to thank all SAPOL staff, first responders and other emergency services workers who attended the incident,” a police statement said.

“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.”

In another Facebook tribute, published on Tuesday morning, Commissioner Stevens released a heartbreaking letter introducing South Australians to “101” – the 101st life lost on our roads this year, his son Charlie.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

What has happened to Schoolies?

The enormous impact of Charlie’s death was clearly visible at the festival, with the party space filled at less than half of its capacity.

Flowers on Beach Road, Goolwa, where 18 year old Charlie Stevens was struck by a car. Picture: Morgan Sette

Ian Lee, 18, who graduated from Mercedes College in the same year level as Charlie Stevens, spoke to The Advertiser and described the cohort as “one big family,” and said the news of Charlie’s death had sent a ripple through their tight knit community.

“Charlie was full of life, he was very lovely. He was energetic and it’s going to be difficult for everyone.”

Ian said Mercedes College had sent a letter to the school community addressing Charlie’s death and offered emotional support to those affected.

Ian also believed Charlie’s friends would plan something to honour his life.

What is Dhirren Randhawa, the accused driver, charged with?

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

An apprentice barber and Victor Harbor High School graduate, Dhirren Singh Randhawa was initially charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm among other charges.

His charges were upgraded to 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 after Charlie died.

He appeared in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday, where court documents allege Mr Randhawa U-turn, sped up and was on the wrong side of the road at the moment of impact. However, the documents also record a second version of events, that Mr Stevens “ran across the road, into the path” of Mr Randhawa’s car, resulting in the collision.

The documents further claim Charlie Stevens had asked Mr Randhawa for a ride back to Victor Harbor shortly before the alleged hit-run.

His mother is Amreeta Stara, a certified clinical hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and “transformational coach” with more than 22,000 followers on Instagram.

His family engaged the services of crisis PR expert Georgina McGuinness, a former Channel 9 newsreader and Liberal Party speechwriter and adviser to Isobel Redmond and Steven Marshall.

Young passenger’s account revealed

The woman seated alongside alleged killer teenager driver Dhirren Singh Randhawa has told police the son of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens “ran across the road, into the path” of the vehicle moments before the fatal impact, according to documents filed with the court.

Montana Rose Bowd is one of four eyewitnesses interviewed by police after Dhirren, 18, of Encounter Bay, was arrested and charged with having caused Charlie Stevens’ death by dangerous driving.

Ms Bowd is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Documents filed with the Christies Beach Magistrates Court name Ms Bowd as the female witness who was a passenger in Dhirren’s car at Schoolies last Friday, but do not outline her relationship with him.

What happens next?

Mr Randhawa has yet to plead to causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care over the crash at Schoolies on Friday night.

He was granted bail at a court appearance on Monday afternoon.

He is due to face court again in March.

Police chief Grant Stevens pens letter introducing 101 – his son

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has released a heartbreaking letter introducing “101” – the 101st life lost on South Australian roads this year, his youngest son Charlie. “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,” he wrote. You can read the full letter here. 

It’s heartbreaking reading. National TV and radio personalities were unable to hold back the tears sharing the powerful tribute.

Tragedy takes toll on Premier

SA Premier Malinauskas’ wife Annabel gave birth to baby George Robert just hours before Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was killed in the South-East and just a day before the tragic death of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’ son Charlie.

The Premier revealed his mixed emotions of the past few days and the heavy toll the recent police shooting and Charlie’s road death had taken on the state.

He pointed to The Advertiser and the feature, The faces behind the shattering impact of 101 lives lost on our roads.

“The ‘Tiser’s cover sort of speaks to the human face of the tragedy, which Grant and Emma were putting on young Charlie with their letter,” he said.

“When you look at the paper and you look at the age of the people involved there is what looks to be a disproportionate number of young people but they’re also people from every walk of life,” he said.

“It’s important to remind ourselves that when you are behind the wheel you accept responsibility not just for yourself and the other people in the car but everyone else around us.”

Originally published as Everything we know about the tragic death of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’ son Charlie