'Not a PlayStation game': Police's grim warning to youths after teen killed in stolen car rollover after attempted carjacking
Police say it is extremely lucky more lives weren't lost when an allegedly stolen car loaded with youths deliberately rammed a car and rolled several times, hitting two other cars and killing a teenage boy in Melbourne's south-west.
A 15-year-old boy was ejected from a stolen Skoda just after midnight after it hit a Toyota sedan during a high-speed pursuit on Derrimut Road in Hoppers Crossing, police allege.
"The Skoda has attempted to perform a PIT manoeuvre on the other vehicle, the Toyota," Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said.
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The stolen Skoda rolled several times after hitting a Toyota it was pursuing on Derrimut Road. Nine
"In doing so, the Skoda has lost control, collided into the rear of two innocent parties."
After hitting a Ford Falcon and a Ford Ranger, the Skoda then slid and rolled several times, throwing one of the occupants from the car. He died at the scene.
The front-seat passenger of the Skoda, a 16-year-old female, suffered two broken legs. She was taken to hospital for treatment and is expected to be interviewed by police.
A third occupant of the car was arrested at the scene.
Several other youths, aged between 14 and 16, fled the Skoda on foot, police allege.
"To run from the scene while you've got a mate who's lying on the ground dying is a coward's act," McEvoy said.
The whole Major Crime Investigations Unit has been deployed to work on the investigation. Nine
"This is not a PlayStation game where you can hit reset and start again. This is real lives, real situations that cannot be undone."
One of the males who allegedly ran from the scene was arrested a short distance away, on the other side of Werribee Plaza.
Another boy, aged 14, presented with family to Mercy Hospital this morning and is now in police custody.
A major manhunt is underway for the occupants of the Skoda who are still on the run.
"We implore all of the public, If you know of these two youths, if you have any contact or know any details, please contact Crimestoppers," McEvoy said.
McEvoy alleges the Skoda was pursuing the Toyota in the lead up to the crash, reaching speeds in excess of 180 km/h on Derrimut Road.
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The street has been closed after the crash. Nine
It is believed the Skoda first crossed paths with the Toyota at Tarneit Central Shopping Centre a short time earlier.
"The occupants of the Toyota felt intimidated by the occupants of the Skoda," McEvoy said.
"They have then driven from the scene slowly, taking back streets to get away from the area, where they were followed by the Skoda."
The occupants of the Toyota called Triple-Zero "in fear" and were advised to drive to the nearest police station.
"The occupants of the Toyota then travelled along Derrimut Road, slowly increasing their speed because they were being chased and followed by the Skoda."
Police allege the Skoda was stolen from Maidstone during an aggravtaed burglary 24 hours earlier.
A sword was found outside the Skoda, along with "lots of alcohol throughout the car and throughout the scene", McEvoy said.
The occupants in the Toyota and both Fords suffered minor injuries.
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Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy Nine
"This is a terrible situation where we could of had multiple youths, kids killed, including members of the public who are going about their everyday lives [and] have now been significantly impacted by the trauma," McEvoy said.
"We could have had five, six, seven fatals here. Fortunately on this occasion there's only one.
"To any youths thinking this is a game… it's not fun when it ends like this, it never is."
McEvoy said he believed the occupants of the Skoda were trying to run the Toyota off the road.
"There's no other reason you'd perform a PIT manoeuvre other than to cause them to lose control and impact," he said.
A PIT manoeuvre, often used by police during pursuits, involves a car deliberately ramming the rear side panel of another vehicle to cause it to spin out.
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Police are asking witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
Derrimut Road between Hogans and Heaths roads remain closed to traffic.
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