Charlie Stevens: The heartbreaking, bittersweet gift the South African police chief’s son left behind after he was murdered at Schoolies
An organ donor has written a powerful letter to a senior police officer and his wife, thanking them for giving the couple a second chance at life after they agreed to donate their teenage son’s organs.
Charlie Stevens, the son of South Australia Police Chief Grant Stevens, was waiting with friends for a bus to the Schoolies celebrations when he was hit by a car driven by Dhirren Randhawa in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, on November 17 last year.
Charlie, 18, was airlifted to Flinders Medical Centre but died the next day from severe brain injuries, surrounded by his family.
The apprentice craftsman’s legacy continues after his parents honored his wish to become an organ donor, extending the lives of seven people.
Eight months later, Commissioner Stevens and his wife Emma have already received letters from three donors and read parts of one of them on Channel Seven’s sunrise on Monday.
“In many ways, I have been given the gift of life again, the chance to look into the future and see my children go to school, achieve milestones, and perhaps even get married,” the letter reads.
“This is what your family gave me.”
Commissioner Stevens admitted the letters were difficult to read but wonderful to receive.
Charlie Stevens’ last act before he died last November extended the lives of seven Australians
‘Difficult to “But knowing the impact Charlie has had gives us a sense of comfort,” he said.
For his grieving parents, it was an easy decision to respect Charlie’s wishes, even though they were unaware that he had registered as a donor on his driver’s license.
“Charlie, he wanted to do that. So we thought Charlie would stay with us a little bit longer,” said an emotional Mrs. Stevens as she fought back tears.
Her husband added: ‘We never imagined that when Charlie checked that box that we would be in a situation where our family would have to validate his decision.
“It was a lot easier knowing that Charlie wanted that.”
The couple admitted they are still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, despite having previously forgiven Rhandhawa.
“We still feel it every day,” said Commissioner Stevens.
‘But the way people in South Australia and elsewhere in Australia have reached out to us.
“I think it softens the blow a little bit, but it’s still very difficult.”
Charlie’s parents have no idea that their youngest child was a registered organ donor
Eight months later, South African police chief Grant Stevens and his wife Emma are still struggling with their unimaginable loss
Only 36 percent of Australians are registered as organ donors, a sad reality that Commissioner Stevens and his family are keen to change.
“We never thought that when Charlie checked that box, our family would have to validate his decision (to donate his organ). It made it a lot easier to know that that’s what Charlie wanted,” he said.
The more people sign up,the better the offer will be, we will all are.
“There are 1,800 people waiting for a life-saving donation. The more people who make that decision early in the play, the more people are likely to receive that gift.”
Rhandhawa was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving under duress without due care, leaving the scene of an accident after death and failing to answer questions.
Charlie (pictured left) was waiting for a bus to go to the Schoolies celebrations in Victor Harbor when tragedy struck. He is pictured with his father, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens
However, in a plea agreement, he admitted driving under adverse conditions without due care and leaving the scene of an accident.
Rhandhawa remains out on bail but will be released againappear in district court in August for arraignment and sentencing.
He faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 months and a driving ban of at least six months for reckless driving.
