Devastated police chief breaks silence in emotional letter – after son died in alleged collision during Schoolies

South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has written an emotional letter to his youngest son Charlie, who died after suffering an irreversible brain injury when he was allegedly hit by a car in Schoolies.

‘I’m writing this as I sit in a bedroom with dirty clothes on the floor, an unmade bed, six drinking glasses in a row on the bedside table, an empty KFC box next to the glasses, cupboard doors left open and a row of skateboards leaning on the wall – it’s a mess and it’s perfect. This is where 101 lived,” he wrote.

101 refers to the 101st life lost on South Australian roads this year.

‘101 arrived on April 28, 2005 and changed our lives forever. The last of five – he was different. Sassy, ​​intense and funny – a loveable ratbag from the moment he could talk,” he continued.

“He was frustrating as hell, but he was also the kid who cared for others, befriended the lonely and helped those who were struggling.

‘The intensity shone through as 101 people committed themselves to each new passion – Lego, BBL, scooters, footy, cricket, basketball, surfing, downhilling, Fortnite and its skateboard – it was all or nothing and it was always everything.

‘101 hated cheese because his brother did. He was a master of the air fryer, the nutrabullet and the steamer. He loved his mother’s curried sausages, but he didn’t know where the dishwasher was.

‘His favorite pastime was pushing his mother’s buttons – although there was a different name on his birth certificate, ‘f**k off Charlie’ was the most heard in our house, followed closely by ‘pull a shirt on’ and ‘take off your hat at the table.

‘101 loved football. He loved the Cats, he played 100 games for the Mitcham Hawks, then the Jets, the Goody Sained, the Camels and Westies, he just wanted to play and be part of the team.

‘It was 101 who taught us that you can’t shower unless you have your Bluetooth speaker turned on full blast, so mom and dad can’t hear themselves talking in the kitchen. No more soap, shampoo or razors needed – someone else in the house always has it – even a used towel!

“His enthusiasm for school knew no bounds – except for start time and schoolwork. But his enthusiasm for his family and his friends was real.

‘101 has a circle of friends that the rest of us could only dream of. He loved his friends and they loved him. His friends’ parents enjoyed having 101 in their home. He was buddies with his brother’s buddies. Living with him meant waking up on weekends to four or five extra bodies in guest beds and on couches. It meant that the family garage was transformed into a man cave, where things could happen that parents didn’t know about (or probably wouldn’t allow).”

‘101 is Charles Stevens – Charlie, Charlie Boy, Chas, Links, Steve. You lived life and gave so much to so many. You were a force of nature and we will never forget your beautiful cheeky, disarming smile.”

“Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friends, colleague, teammate. So much more than just a number in a tragic way.”

Charlie Stevens, 18, was waiting with friends for a bus to Schoolies parties in Victor Harbor when he was hit by Dhirren Randhawa, also 18, in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, about 9pm on Friday.

Mr Stevens died in hospital 22 hours later, while Mr Randhawa was arrested a short time later on a nearby street after allegedly fleeing the scene.

Randhawa was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of an accident after causing death and failing to actually answer questions.

His father said he was the child who would care for others, befriend the lonely and always be with his friends

The heartfelt letter described Charlie as ‘sassy, ​​intense and funny’ and a ‘lovable ratbag from the moment he could talk’.

His father said he was the child who would care for others, befriend the lonely and always be with his friends.