Mother of teenager killed in crash involving allegedly stolen car pleads for changes to youth crime laws

A Melbourne mother is calling on the state’s premier to enact tougher youth crime laws after her 16-year-old son died in a crash involving an allegedly stolen car.

Kai McDonald was killed when the allegedly stolen Audi he was a passenger in collided with a station wagon on the Princes Hwy in Pakenham last Thursday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Grieving mother calls on the premier to get tough on youth crime

The Audi was being driven by a friend of Kai’s who, according to the teenager’s mother, had been in trouble with the law before.

“I believe he was known to police and had a few interactions with them and he got a slap on the wrist,” Samantha Wimshurst told 7NEWS.

“He said he wasn’t scared to get caught again.”

Wimshurst believes tougher youth crime laws might have saved her son’s life, publicly pleading with the premier to take action to prevent further tragedy.

“They need to step up,” she said.

“It’s not going to end, kids are going to keep dying every single day if they don’t step up and do something.”

The mother’s message is echoed by the family of doctor Ashley Gordon, who was allegedly murdered by two teens during a home invasion in January.

Two boys, both aged 16, were charged with murder, aggravated burglary and theft after Ashley was found allegedly stabbed to death less than 1km from his home in Doncaster.

“Children as young as 10 are committing serious crimes,” Gordon’s sister Natalie Gordon said.

“We really need to reconsider that criminal age of responsibility.”

In Victoria the age of criminal liability is currently 10.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said there was a small number of young offenders in the state but the problem was that they were repeat offenders.

She said the state has already brought in changes in an attempt to bring youth crime under control.

“They are serious offenders, which is why we’re bringing in electronic monitoring, why we’ve strengthened bail provisions, “ Allan said.

The 16-year-old alleged driver of the Audi remains in a critical condition at The Alfred hospital.

Another 15-year-old passenger was also injured in the crash and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

A fundraiser has been organised by the Kai’s football club who described him as “full of life”.

Wimshurst said she has been “walking around (like) a shell” since her son’s death.

“I’m not eating, I’m not really drinking, I’m not doing anything,” she said.

“I’m just dead inside.

“I need justice for my son Kai.”

- with Molly Magennis