Teenager charged after 15-year-old friend killed in high-speed car crash in Hoppers Crossing, Melbourne
Four teenagers allegedly fled the scene as the boy lay dying.
A teenage boy has been charged after allegedly speeding in a stolen car before one of his friends was thrown from the vehicle and died.
Police allege the 17-year-old was behind the wheel of a stolen grey Skoda sedan carrying six other teenagers aged between 14 and 16 when the chaos unfolded in Melbourne‘s west just after midnight on Friday.
Investigators say the group had attempted to carjack a Toyota sedan before chasing it in the Skoda, which police allege was travelling at speeds of up to 180km/h.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Skoda crashed into the rear of the Toyota “deliberately” during the pursuit along Derrimut Road in Hoppers Crossing, police said.
The Skoda then allegedly smashed into a Ford sedan and a Ford Ranger before rolling and coming to rest in the front yard of a nearby home.
A 15-year-old boy from the Wyndham area was ejected from the car and died at the scene, while four teenagers allegedly fled as he lay dying.
Police arrested the 17-year-old from the Wyndham area on Saturday.
He has since been charged with culpable driving causing death and other driving offences, and was remanded in custody to appear before a children’s court.
The front passenger, a 16-year-old girl from the Wyndham area, sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital.
Another 16-year-old girl from the Wyndham area was arrested at the scene, interviewed and released pending further investigation.
A 14-year-old boy from the Wyndham area later presented to a nearby hospital where he was arrested.
He was interviewed by investigators and remanded on matters unrelated to the crash.
Police say they are still working to identify two other occupants of the Skoda who fled the scene.
A sword and alcohol were found inside the car, which police allege was stolen from Yellow Box Street in Maidstone between Wednesday and Thursday.
The family of the 15-year-old visited the crash scene on Friday, saying they were devastated and struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
Investigations are still underway.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Originally published on 7NEWS
