The teen who was struck and killed by a suspected stolen BMW was planning to propose to his girlfriend later that day,
Early on Sunday morning, emergency services were called to the intersection of Bell Street and Victoria Street in Preston in Melbourne’s north after reports that a BMW had collided with a motorcycle.
Police arrived on the scene and performed CPR on the seriously injured 19-year-old Davide Pollina. Despite desperate attempts to save his life, he died on the spot.
Police suspect that the two occupants of the BMW fled.
Mr Polina’s girlfriend, Sylvana Kassab, was in the car next to him at the time and witnessed the accident and his terrifying final moments.
She has since been told that he planned to propose to her later on Sunday.
“I was told he was planning to propose to me the day he died, but his life was cut too short and I didn’t have the chance to say yes in the easiest way,” Kassab told Seven News.
“We had so much planned for the future, but the precious memories we shared will never be lost.”
Davide Pollina (right) was planning to propose to his girlfriend Sylvana Kassab (left)
Davide Pollina was killed on his way home when he was hit by a suspected stolen BMW
‘I will never be able to get over this, from life to death he was my person, he will always be there for me.’
Mr. Pollina’s best friend is also devastated.
“I know he’s in a better place and he’s up there looking down on me. I’m so grateful for what he’s done for me,” Youssef Soueid said.
Police believe the BMW and a Mazda were stolen from a house on Coonans Road, in Pascoe Vale South, at around 11.40pm on Saturday night, an hour before the collision.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested shortly after and questioned by detectives before being released, pending further investigation. No charges have been filed.
The other occupant is still on the run.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
This came after Mr Pollina’s grieving parents made a heartbreaking appeal to those who were in the BMW at the time of the crash to come forward to police.
Davide Pollina launched his first car three years ago
Investigation into the horrific crash on Sunday morning (scene in photo) continues
Davide moved to Australia with his parents and older sister from Sicily, looking for a better life, about ten years ago.
Celebrating the achievement of his son, who bought his first car in 2021, Mr Pollina wrote on social media: “You are our pride.”
Davide was remembered by locals in his hometown in Italy as a “handsome and respectful boy” and by his Australian friends as an avid motorcycle and car enthusiast.
Colleagues of the concrete pump driver also paid tribute to ‘one of the best’.
At his old workplace, all the equipment was hoisted into the air as a final salute.
A GoFundMe organized on behalf of Davide’s family, said he was “riding home on his motorcycle… when he was suddenly hit by a (presumably) stolen vehicle.”
“Davide was only 19 and had his whole life ahead of him,” the fundraiser reads.