The parents of a motorcyclist who died after being hit by a car believed to have been stolen by teenagers joyriding are pleading with young people to come forward.
Nicola Pollina and his distraught wife reacted with sadness to the death of their only son Davide, 19, who died early Sunday morning on his way home from visiting friends.
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 hit Davide’s motorbike.
Emergency services performed CPR, but he died at the scene.
Police suspect that the two occupants of the BMW fled.
Davide’s parents mourned the loss of their “beautiful, special boy” as they embraced each other in tears.
“I love you, I miss you too much,” said Mr. Pollina told 9News.
His wife was too upset to speak on camera.
Nicola Pollina and his distraught wife have pleaded with the teenagers in the suspected stolen BMW to come forward after their son’s death
Davide, 19, died after he was hit by a suspected stolen BMW while riding his motorcycle in Preston in Melbourne’s north at around 12.40am on Sunday
The couple received support from family friend Linda Vaccaro, who made a desperate appeal on their behalf.
‘Those involved must take responsibility, life is just too short [and] we will never recover from this… committing [crimes] “This is not fun, there are consequences,” says Ms. Vaccaro told 9News.
‘Those involved must take responsibility, life is just too short [and] we will never recover from this… committing [crimes] “This is not fun, there are consequences,” says Ms. Vaccaro
Security footage from the scene showed the BMW driving around before the crash, then two people getting out and running away.
Police believe the luxury car 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 crash.
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.
Emergency services who arrived on the scene were unable to save Davide’s life
CCTV footage captured the suspected stolen luxury car driving through the city and followed it before the crash
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.
Neighbors of the house where the cars are believed to have been stolen said a party had been held at the property earlier that evening.
They revealed that on Sunday morning the garage door had been broken open and the area was swarming with officers collecting evidence.
Detectives from the Major Collision Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.
Linda Vaccaro, a friend of the family, asked the people who were driving the BMW to come forward: ‘Life is just too short [and] we will never recover from this’
Davide moved from Sicily with his parents and older sister ten years ago and in 2021 his father said Davide was ‘our pride’ after buying his first car
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.