Preston crash: Update on teen allegedly behind the wheel of stolen BMW which allegedly struck and killed Davide Pollina

A boy who was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen car that struck and killed a teenage motorcyclist on his way home has been released on bail, just days after the state government promised to tighten youth bail laws.

Davide Pollina, 19, was killed when a BMW hit his motorcycle at the intersection of Bell Street and Victoria Street in Preston, Melbourne’s north, in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

Police allege three teenagers stole a BMW and a Mazda from a house in Pascoe Vale South at around 11.40pm last Saturday night.

An hour later, police, who were on the trail of the suspected stolen cars, arrived at the scene of the crash in Preston, 4 miles away. They performed CPR on Mr Pollina, who could not be revived.

Police report that two occupants of the BMW fled after the accident.

Three teenagers, two aged 16 and one aged 17, have now been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the alleged robbery and crash.

All three have now been granted bail by the court.

The 16-year-old who police say was behind the wheel of the BMW was arrested at his home Heidelberg West on Saturday morning.

The teenager was charged with eight offences, including dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop and render aid, domestic assault, burglary with violence while someone was home, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary.

Despite the alleged offences, he was released on bail at a juvenile court hearing in a decision that has devastated Mr Pollina’s grieving family.

Police allege two teenagers got out of the car and fled, both have since been released on bail.

The teenager will appear in court again next month.

The Pollina family told Nine News they were disappointed the alleged driver had been released on bail and feared he would re-offend.

The arrest came three days after two other teens were charged

A 16-year-old from Wallan would on the passenger seat of the BMW was arrested on the night of the collision.

He was initially released pending further investigation, but was was arrested again last Wednesday.

He was charged with home invasion, aggravated burglary with person present, theft of a motor vehicle, criminal damage, two counts of reckless endangering serious injury, a driver’s license suspension and failure to comply with a telephone access code.

A 17-year-old teenager from Preston, who allegedly stole the Mazda that night, was arrested the same day

He was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, reckless endangering serious injury and causing damage.

Davide’s family has criticized the decision to reportedly

Davide is said to have proposed to his girlfriend Sylvana Kassab, who witnessed the fatal accident, later on Sunday

Davide’s girlfriend, Sylvana Kassab, who witnessed the fatal accident, was later told her he would propose to her later on Sunday.

The decision will be made in three days after the Victorian parliament voted to tighten bail laws.

The amended legislation raises the age of criminal liability from 10 to 12 years.

Under former Premier Daniel Andrews, the government pledged in 2023 to raise the age limit to 14 by 2027, with exceptions for serious crimes such as murder and terrorism.

But after a series of high-profile incidents involving young offenders, including two fatal car crashes in the past two months, Ms Allan said the sentence would remain at 12 years.

When asked about her reaction to the three teenagers being released on bail in recent days, the Prime Minister told Nine News She had “no intention of obstructing a lawsuit.”

Davide’s funeral will take place later this week.

About ten years ago he moved from Sicily to Australia with his parents and older sister in search of a better life.

His family says he will be cremated and his ashes will be returned to Italy.