Teenager Ryan Berry killed in Yanchep accident
- Ute crashed into tree in Yanchep, Western Australia
- Police allege the 16-year-old driver was without license
- Passenger Ryan Berry, 16, died instantly
- READ MORE: Monterey crash: Second person charged
The driver of a commercial vehicle who left the road and crashed into a tree, killing his 16-year-old friend, was allegedly unlicensed.
Ryan Berry, 16, was on his way to the gym with two friends when the vehicle he was a passenger in crashed at a roundabout in Yanchep, a coastal suburb of Perth, around 9.40pm on Tuesday.
Security camera footage captured the moment the Holden Crewman approached the intersection of Beach Road and Parkland Drive, with residents saying they heard a car revving before the crash.
West Australian police say the 16-year-old driver, who suffered minor injuries, was unlicensed and speed may have been a factor in the crash.
A 15-year-old passenger was taken to hospital with serious injuries, while Berry died at the scene.
Western Australian teenager Ryan Berry, 16, (pictured) died after the SEI he was a passenger in crashed into a tree at an intersection in Yanchep.
Western Australia Police say the 16-year-old driver, who suffered minor injuries, was unlicensed and speed may also have been a factor (police at crash scene at the intersection of Beach Rd and Parkland Dr)
James Lesurf and his wife were at home when they heard a “loud noise”, before rushing to the scene to try to help the teenagers.
“We heard a huge crack. When we went around, the car was already stuck against the tree,” Mr. Lesurf said. 9News.
“The other two poor boys, you could tell they were young, but they were panicking. So we calmed them down and made them leave.
Another resident wrote on Facebook that she had heard “speeding up and burning out” before the accident.
Grieving friends and family gathered at the crash site Wednesday to pay their respects to Berry.
Mourners were seen laying flowers in his memory, while dozens of others carved tributes into the tree that took his life.
Berry’s friends said they were “shocked” and didn’t believe he was dead when they first heard the tragic news.
“It wasn’t true,” a friend said 7News.
“Ryan was literally both my best friend and my brother,” said another.
Friends gathered at the scene of the crash to mourn the loss of Berry, with many tributes carved into a tree.
A third chimed in: “He was just family to us all and such a nice guy.”
Officers from the Major Accident Investigation Section are investigating the circumstances of the accident.
Charges are expected, but none have been filed.
Anyone with information or who saw the Holden Crewman moving before the crash is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.