A man has been charged with a series of offenses after he was allegedly behind the wheel of a car that crashed into a utility pole, killing two boys.
Braydan Collier, 13, and Kaine Bell, 14, died about 10.50am on Monday when the gray Ford Falcon they were traveling in crashed into a tree and a utility pole on Maxwell Avenue in Ashcroft, in Sydney’s south-west.
Emergency workers found their bodies scattered across the lawn of a suburban estate, about five meters from the main body of the car.
Security footage shows Nicholas Thew, 27, and Anthony Morris, 23, exiting the driver and passenger seats of the vehicle and fleeing the scene.
Pictured: Nicholas Thew, who was arrested and taken to hospital on Tuesday. He has since been charged
Braydan Collier had just celebrated his 13th birthday before his life was cut short on Monday
Kaine Bell, 14, died around 10:50 a.m. Monday
Both men were arrested on Tuesday.
Thew has since been charged with nine offenses including aggravated dangerous driving, causing death, failing to stop and assist after a vehicle collision causing death, negligent driving and causing bodily harm by misconduct.
Thew was refused bail and is due to appear in court on Wednesday.
Morris remains in hospital under police guard. Thew had also been taken to hospital for internal injuries sustained in the crash, but was released.
The families of Kaine and Braydan broke their silence on the crash on Tuesday.
Thew reportedly fled the crash site Monday morning, with an injured hand
Best friends Braydan Collier, 13, and Kaine Bell, 14, were traveling in a gray Ford Falcon sedan that crashed into a tree and utility pole (scene pictured)
“Both of our families are still in shock and devastated by yesterday’s tragic crash. “We continue to grieve the loss of our beloved son and brother,” they said in a joint statement.
On Tuesday morning A GoFundMe A campaign was launched to help Kaine’s family cover funeral costs.
“Kaine was such a happy kid who would always be happiest when he was riding his bike or fishing with Dad. He was an adventurous boy who will be so greatly missed,” the fundraiser said.
“A beautiful smile, with those dimples and brown curly hair, you were well on your way to becoming a beautiful boy.”
‘Any amount is appreciated, because every cent helps during this difficult time. Please keep Kaine’s parents and sisters in your thoughts.”
Thew’s heartbroken family revealed on Monday night that the men were considered surrogate big brothers to Braydan and Kaine and had taken the teens under their wing.
The investigation into the crash continues.