Charlie Stevens: Family pay tribute to son of SA Police Commissioner killed after being struck by car at schoolies

The family of the 18-year-old son of the SA Police Commissioner have shared a heartbreaking statement after the teenager was killed when he was allegedly hit by a car during a school function.

Charlie Stevens, 18, was in Goolwa Beach celebrating schoolboys on Friday when he was reportedly hit by a car on Beach Rd about 9pm.

The teenager, whose father is Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, suffered serious injuries and was flown to Flinders Medical Center where he was found to have suffered ‘irreversible brain damage’.

His family rushed from across the country to be by his side in his final moments and confirmed he had died shortly before 9pm on Saturday.

Charlie’s mother Emma Stevens paid a heartbreaking tribute to her son on Facebook, writing: “Forever 18 my beautiful boy, I will miss you and love you forever.”

His older brother Steven posted a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram on Saturday.

“My best friend, my biggest rival, my biggest fan, my little brother Charlie,” he wrote.

“It breaks my heart that my days as a big brother have come to an end, forever in our hearts, forever young and beautiful.”

The tribute included photos of Charlie skateboarding on a ramp and riding down a street with his brother.

In a family statement shared by SA Police on Sunday evening, Mr and Mrs Stevens thanked the police, first responders and other responders who attended the incident.

“The Stevens family would also like to thank the wider community for their support at this difficult time. “In particular, the family acknowledges the dedicated staff at Flinders Medical Center for their care and support of Charlie and his family and friends.”

The president of Goodwood Saints Football Club, where Mr Stevens is a much-loved member of the AFL community, sent a message to club members to share the ‘tragic’ news.

“Charlie has always been a vibrant presence and a joy to coach, and well-liked on and off his team,” president Jordan Dodd said in a Facebook post Saturday evening.

‘Our love and thoughts are with Grant and Emma, ​​children Sophie, Dylan, Josh and Tom and their family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

‘No words can quantify the pain you must be feeling, and the whole club is here with you.

Mental health support programs have been made available to players and families in the coming days, particularly within the under-17.5 boys team and their families.

Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams broke down in tears as she, along with the Prime Minister, revealed Charlie’s identity to the media on Saturday morning.

“As you can imagine, this is a very difficult statement,” she said.

‘We always talk about this happening to other people, but the reality is it can happen to anyone, any family or anyone in the community.

‘The feeling of sadness is always enormous.’

Premier Peter Malinauskas said he and the South Australian community stood behind Commissioner Stevens and his family.

“Grant Stevens served in South Australia for over 14 years as a member of the South Australian Police,” he said.

“Throughout his life he dedicated himself to protecting others and protecting South Australians from harm….”

“We often desperately wish that bad things wouldn’t happen to good people, but they do, and this is a clear example of that.”

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, a former police officer, has shared his heartbreak.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Stevens family following the terrible and tragic accident involving their son Charlie. Grant and his family have given so much to the people of South Africa and this is a truly heartbreaking event,” he said.

Liberal state leader David Speirs called on South Australians to rally behind the Stevens family.

“Another day and even more tragic news for our South Australian policing community,” he said.

‘A heartbreaking incident took place last night at the Schoolies festival in Goolwa. My thoughts are with Police Chief Grant Stevens and his family as they deal with this sad and difficult time.

“Grant has been an exceptional leader in South Australia during difficult times. Now he needs our support.’

The driver of the car, an 18-year-old man from Encounter Bay, did not stop at the scene.

He was apprehended by police a short distance from the scene of the collision on Port Elliot Rd.

He was arrested and charged with causing harm by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of a serious accident and failing to actually answer questions.

His vehicle was towed and will undergo forensic examination, while the area remained closed on Saturday morning as it was examined by Major Crash Investigators.

The driver will appear at Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday.

It’s been a horror year for tolling in South Australia, with the state now recording 101 deaths after a man and woman died in a car crash in Willalooka on Saturday.

Last year the death rate during the same period was 61.

Charlie Stevens had just started as an apprentice carpenter, a job he “dearly loved.”

The tragedy comes after Commissioner Stevens spoke extensively to the media about the death of a police officer in the city of Senior on Friday, prior to the incident involving his son.

In what he called a “devastating day for South Australia Police”, Commissioner Stevens confirmed that 53-year-old Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was fatally shot after visiting a rural estate where he was confronted by an armed suspect.

Another police officer, Sergeant Michael Hutchinson, was also shot, as was the 26-year-old resident later identified as Jaydn Stimson.

It was the first time in more than two decades that an on-duty police officer was killed while on duty in the state.