Charlie Stevens: Moving twilight service planned to celebrate the life of top cop’s son tragically killed in schoolies crash

A twilight service will be held to celebrate the life of Charlie Stevens, the son of South Australia’s top cop, who was killed in an alleged collision while celebrating schoolboys.

The tragedy made headlines across the country and television presenters were left in tears after Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his wife released a tribute to their youngest child.

Charlie Stevens, 18, was the 101st person killed on the state’s roads this year.

He suffered irreversible brain damage when he was hit by a car near Goolwa Beach, south of Adelaide, on November 17.

Police announced on Friday evening that a celebration of life will be held in the 18-year-old’s honor on November 30 in the William Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval.

Earlier in the day, Acting South Australian Police Commissioner Linda Williams announced that an independent lead investigator would take charge of the investigation, saying the high public interest in the crash and the involvement of the police commissioner’s son justified this.

“An independent lead investigator has been appointed to oversee the Major Crash Investigation Section investigation,” she said.

“Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham from Victoria Police will be temporarily assigned to SAPOL as a special constable to take on this role.

“He will have control over the direction and outcome of the investigation and will report any evidence to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

Charlie’s death, the 101st fatality on South Australia’s roads this year, has shocked the state.

A twilight service will be held next week in honor of Charlie Stevens, pictured with his Grant Stevens. Image: supplied

The first details of the alleged hit-and-run emerged in court documents on Monday.

Three witnesses, who say they were standing on Beach Rd with Charlie waiting for a shuttle bus to take them from Goolwa Beach back to Victor Harbor, say they stopped the accused driver, Dhirren Randhawa, 18, to see if they could come along could hitchhike.

There was not enough room in the car and witnesses say Mr Randhawa drove away before making a U-turn.

He then allegedly accelerated and began driving on the wrong side of the road before hitting Charlie, court documents show.

There is no animosity between the groups.

But Montana Rose Bowd, an eyewitness from Dhirren’s car, tells a different story, court records show.

Ms Bowd said some men were on the west side of the road and partly on the footpath, but there was also a man on the east side of the road.

She says a man from the east side crossed the road into Mr. Randhawa’s car, according to court documents.

She says Mr Randhawa then drove a short distance before calling his mother and asking whether he should hand himself in at a police station or call the police.

The court granted Mr Randhawa bail and he left the court with his mother and supporters in the late afternoon, walking through a horde of media to a waiting car.

While he was talking to her, police arrived and arrested him, she said.

The court granted Mr Randhawa bail and he left the court with his mother and supporters in the late afternoon, walking through a horde of media to a waiting car.

Charlie, 18, suffered irreparable brain damage in the impact and Mr and Mrs Stevens and their four older children, Sophie, Dylan, Josh and Tom, said goodbye to Charlie at Flinders Medical Center along with their extended family.

Charlie died on November 18 at 7:01 pm.

Police have charged Mr Randhawa with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of an accident after causing death and failing to actually answer questions.

Accused Charlie Stevens hit-and-run driver Dhirren Randhawa leaves the Christie’s Beach Magistrates Court after being granted bail on November 20, 2023.

If found guilty, he faces a maximum prison sentence of fifteen years and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s license for ten years.

Mr and Mrs Stevens paid tribute to their son in a public letter, addressing him as ‘101’.

‘I’m writing this as I sit in a bedroom with dirty clothes on the floor, an unmade bed, six drinking glasses in a row on the bedside table, an empty KFC box next to the glasses, cupboard doors left open and a row of skateboards leaning on the wall – it’s a mess and it’s perfect. 101 lived here,” the parents write.

‘101 is Charles Stevens – Charlie, Charlie Boy, Chas, Links, Steve. You lived life and gave so much to so many. You were a force of nature and we will never forget your beautiful cheeky, disarming smile.

“Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friends, colleague, teammate. So much more than just a number on a tragic count.”

Mr Randhawa will next appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.