Teenage driver pleads guilty over death of SA top cop’s son

A teenager has pleaded guilty to causing the death of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’ son Charlie by careless driving.

In Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Dhirren Singh Randhawa, 18, pleaded guilty to one aggravated count of driving without due care.

Randhawa’s guilty plea on that charge, and a separate charge of leaving the scene of a crash after causing death, were accepted by prosecutors, who withdrew charges of dangerous driving causing death and failing to answer a question of identity regarding the driver of a vehicle.

The Encounter Bay teen struck Charlie Stevens, 18, with his car in Goolwa on November 17 last year, during schoolies week.

Stevens and his family were present in court for proceedings and outside court, the commissioner became emotional as he commented on the development.

“Today we have come to the magistrates court and we heard Dhirren plead guilty to aggravated due care causing death and leaving the scene of the collision,” he said.

“This is one step in the process, there are a few more steps to go so I think it would be appropriate to say more at a later point in time.

“I think on behalf of our family we’d like to acknowledge that Dhirren has taken responsibility for his actions, that saw us lose our son Charlie. We’ve also been handed a letter of apology and we’ll take time to read that. Thank you for your understanding.”

Charlie Stevens died in hospital surrounded by friends and family, including his father, the following night.

More than 1000 mourners paid their respects to the apprentice tradie at an emotional memorial service at the Adelaide Oval later that month.

Randhawa was remanded on continuing bail to appear in the District Court in August for arraignment and sentencing.

He faces a maximum 12-month prison term and minimum six-month licence disqualification for the careless driving offence.