A teenager has admitted to causing the death of the son of the South Australian Police Commissioner’s son in a horrific crash during Schoolies celebrations.
Dhirren Singh Randhawa, 18, was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Charlie Stevens on November 17 last year.
18-year-old Charlie Stevens – who is the son of the state’s current Police Commissioner Grant Stevens – was struck and killed while out with friends celebrating Schoolies at Goolwa Beach, 67km south of Adelaide.
During an appearance at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Mr Randhawa entered a plea of guilty to one count of driving without due care.
He also entered pleas of guilty to charges of leaving the scene of an accident after causing death.
Prosecutors withdrew charges of dangerous driving causing death and failing to answer a question of identity regarding the driver or owner of the vehicle.
Randhawa will return to court on August 9 for arraignment on the charges he pleaded guilty to.
Commissioner Stevens and his family were in attendance for the arraignment and briefly spoke outside court.
“Today we have come to the magistrates court and we heard Dhirren plead guilty to aggravated due care causing death and leaving the scene of the collision,” he told 9 News.
“This is one step in the process, there are a few more steps to go so I think it would be appropriate to say more at a later point in time.
“I think on behalf of our family we’d like to acknowledge that Dhirren has taken responsibility for his actions, that saw us lose our son Charlie. We’ve also been handed a letter of apology and we’ll take time to read that.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Randhawa remains on bail.