SA Police has upgraded charges against a man in an alleged hit-and-run crash that killed Charlie Stevens, the son of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, as tributes flow from his family, school and the community.
Key points:
- An Encounter Bay man has been charged with a number of offences, including causing death by dangerous driving
- Charlie's older brother paid tribute to his brother on social media as his "best mate" and "number one fan"
- Mercedes College and Mitcham Hawks Football Club have also remembered the 18-year-old
Charlie, 18, suffered an "irreversible brain injury" after he was allegedly struck by a car that didn't stop on Beach Road at Goolwa Beach about 9pm on Friday while joining schoolies celebrations.
SA Police said Charlie died surrounded by his family at the Flinders Medical Centre at 7:01pm on Saturday.
The ABC understands the 18-year-old driver — who was arrested on Port Elliot Road at Goolwa — is Dhirren Randhawa.
Mr Randhawa been charged 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.
The Encounter Bay teenager has been refused police bail and will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, tributes have been flowing for Charlie and his family as the community comes to terms with his death.
Charlie's older brother, Tom Stevens, remembered his brother with a post on Instagram, accompanied by black and white photos of his sibling skateboarding.
"My best mate, my biggest rival, my number one fan, my little brother Charlie. It breaks my heart my days of being a big brother have come to an end," Mr Stevens said.
"Forever in our hearts, forever young and beautiful."
Mercedes College, where Charlie attended school, released a statement on Facebook paying tribute to the "loved" member of the Class of 2023.
"While he left the college in 2022 to pursue a carpentry apprenticeship, he has remained closely connected to his friends and school mates," a school statement said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, close friends and everyone who knew and loved him.
"May he rest in peace."
Football club remembers 'cheeky' player
Mitcham Hawks Football Club said Charlie was a "cheeky and courageous" footballer who was an exclusive member of the Junior players.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Grant and Emma, Dylan, Josh, Sophie and Tom and their family and friends at this extremely difficult time," the statement said.
"Words seem inadequate to express our sadness over the passing of Charlie Stevens."
Goodwood Saints Football Club president Jordan Dodd released a statement on Facebook, saying Charlie was an "effervescent presence", "a pleasure to coach" and "well-loved" within and outside of his team.
The club has made mental health support programs available for the players and their families.
West Adelaide Football Club CEO Conny Wilson said Charlie played at the Bloods as one of its junior players before moving to the Goodwood Saints.
"Charlie, being an under-ager as we'd call him, was an infectious character, he was well-loved and was always up for a laugh so we're certainly feeling his loss deeply at the club," Ms Wilson said.
"We hold the mantra that once a blood, always a blood … he certainly had talent, he wouldn't be out at West Adelaide if he didn't, and he certainly brought another level to the team that he was playing with."
Sports Minister Katrine Hildyard extended her condolences to the Stevens family.
"Like all South Australians, I hold their beautiful family in my heart and say that all of South Australia will be there for them in the incredibly difficult times ahead. We are so very, very sorry."
Opposition Leader David Speirs said in a statement on Saturday that his thoughts were with Commissioner Stevens and his family.
"Grant has been an exceptional leader in South Australia through tough times. Now he needs our support."
Public lay floral tributes at crash site
In Goolwa Beach, locals laid flowers and notes by the side of the road near the site of the crash in memory of Charlie.
Schoolies Festival organiser and Encounter Youth CEO Nigel Knowles said the death had cast a sombre mood at the event among young people celebrating the end of their schooling.
"It really has rocked us down here in the Fleurieu [Peninsula] and it's not just us, it's really affected the whole community," Mr Knowles said.
"We're standing in strong support of the Stevens family for such a tragic event that's occurred.
Mr Knowles said some young people had decided to return home after hearing about the crash.
"There were a number of parents popping down to pick up their young people and that's very understandable that they were heading home."
In a statement on Saturday night, the commissioner and his wife Emma thanked police, emergency service workers, staff at Adelaide's Flinders Medical Centre and the wider community for their support.
"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," the SA Police statement said.
The mother of the 18-year-old driver said in a statement that her heart was breaking for the Stevens family.
"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 in the statement, released before Charlie's death was confirmed late on Saturday evening.
"Out of respect and acknowledging that this is now a matter for the courts, I won't be saying anything further at this time."
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2023-11-19 04:41:15Z
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