By Victoria Stone-Meadows
POLICE are still on the lookout for one of six teenagers involved in a fatal car crash that occurred on the night of Saturday 5 November in Narre Warren.
A 15-year-old girl from Hampton Park, who turned herself into police on Sunday morning, was the latest to be questioned by police about the crash.
Detectives from the Major Collison Investigation Unit suspect the group of six were travelling in a stolen Kia south on Narre Warren Cranbourne Road about 7.30pm before running two red lights and crashing into another car.
Investigators believe the Kia was stolen during a burglary on 1 November in the south-eastern suburbs, and believe the same car was involved in theft of alcohol from a shop on the night of the crash.
In a media briefing on Sunday 6 November, Inspector John Cormack confirmed there was alcohol at the scene of the crash.
Two of the occupants of the car were airlifted to hospital after suffering serious life-threatening injuries when the car they were in smashed into another car near Casey Central Shopping Centre.
One of the boys taken to hospital on Saturday night, a 17- year-old boy from Dandenong, died from his injuries about 8.45am on Sunday 6 November.
The other young boy airlifted to The Alfred hospital is of African appearance and yet to be identified.
Two more young males, a 19-year-old from Hampton Park and a 15-year-old from Narre Warren, were also rushed to hospital on the night of the crash under police guard.
The 19-year-old teenager from Hampton Park has since been released in hospital, but remains in police custody as police investigations continue.
The sixth member of the group that was in the car that crashed fled the scene with the 15-year-old girl from Hampton Park, and is yet to come forward.
The unknown male is believed to be Caucasian in appearance, aged in his late teens with short hair and possibly wearing a baseball cap at the time of the crash.
While police are unsure whether the young man who fled was injured, they are keen to speak with any doctors or other medical practitioners who may have treated a young man on Saturday night.
The driver and sole occupant of the Holden sedan that the stolen Kia crashed into suffered minor injuries and was also taken to hospital.
Insp Cormack has urged the unknown male to come forward out of respect for the families of the other teenagers involved in the smash.
“Police are working hard to identify the young male who fled the scene, and I ask you to come forward and speak with investigators,” he said at the briefing.
“Last night’s actions were immature and irresponsible, and now is the time to show some responsibility and maturity so investigators can determine exactly who, what, and how this occurred.”
Insp Cormack also said this crash was completely avoidable, and commended the young girl from Hampton Park for coming forward and assisting police with their inquiries.
“This crash involves many factors including youth, inexperience, and speed, and it has to stop,” he said.
“I commend her for coming forward; obviously poor decisions have been made, but I commend her for coming forward.”
“This didn’t need to happen and risks to communities, themselves and other road users, and it’s hurting our kids.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com
