A teenage motorcyclist has died after being hit by a car believed to be stolen an hour earlier.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Bell Street and Victoria Street in Preston in Melbourne’s north at around 12.40am on Sunday 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.
About ten years ago, the teenager moved from Sicily to Australia with his parents and older sister in search of a better life.
His father, Nicola Pollina, celebrated his son’s achievement of buying his first car in 2021 by writing on social media: “You are our pride.”
Davide was remembered by locals in his hometown as a “handsome and respectful boy.” Italy and as an avid motorcycle and car enthusiast for his Australian friends.
It is believed that two occupants of the BMW fled after the accident.
Shortly afterwards, a 16-year-old boy was arrested and questioned by detectives before being released pending further investigation.
Davida Pollina (pictured), 19, died at the scene of a horrific accident in Melbourne’s north
Davide was remembered in his hometown in Italy as a ‘handsome and respectful boy’
The other occupant is still on the run.
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 friend of Davide’s family remembered the teenager as “a very nice young man” whose death was “devastating” for his family.
“It’s devastating for Nicola and Eleanora because they came here for a better life and now they’ve lost their son, all because a 16-year-old (allegedly) wanted to steal a car and have fun with it. It’s terrible,” they told the Herald Sun.
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 house earlier that evening.
They revealed that the garage door had been forced open on Sunday morning and was filled with police evidence.
Detectives from the Major Collision Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.
Davide was known as an avid car and motorcycle enthusiast, and a ‘handsome and respectful boy’ to the locals from their hometown in Italy before his family moved to Australia ten years ago
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan indicated the state government will tackle rising youth crime this week.
“Although an investigation is ongoing, I cannot comment on the cause of this accident. However, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family who have lost a loved one,” she told reporters on Sunday.
Ms Allan indicated that the state government would introduce a bill to parliament to tackle youth crime. Davide is the third person believed to have been murdered by criminal youths this year.
“As we work to move this bill through Parliament, I fully understand that we need to address both the concerns of the community and the reality of this recurring pattern of behaviour, and what more we need to do to keep the community safe,” she said.
“There is a pattern of behavior here that is harmful and is of concern to me and many others in the community.”
However, Ms Allan would not reveal any details about the upcoming bill or whether it will include changes to the Youth Justice Act currently before parliament.