By Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh.
Two teenage boys have died after allegedly stealing a motorcycle and crashing it into a car in Adelaide’s north.
Around 8pm on 15 May 2020, the rider of the motorcycle, 18-year-old Jaydn Short from Davoren Park, collided with a car at the intersection of Main North Road and Hogarth Road at Elizabeth East.
Emergency services were quickly called to the intersection after receiving reports that the motorcycle, travelling south, had collided with a vehicle turning right onto Shandon Court.
The 18-year-old rider was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died from severe injuries.
According to police, the passenger on the motorbike, 17-year-old Zachary Sandelance from Andrews Farm, died at the scene.
Police Allege Crashed Motorcycle Had Been Stolen Earlier in the Week
Police have alleged the motorcycle involved in the crash had been stolen earlier that week.
“The orange 2016 KTM RC390 motorcycle had allegedly been stolen from Adelaide on Wednesday,” police said.
Meanwhile, the driver of the car, a 46-year-old man from Hillbank, was not injured however taken to hospital as a safeguard.
The intersection was blocked for several hours while Major Crash Investigators examined the scene.
Police are investigating the collision.
Families Mourn Loss of Teens as Police Investigate Whether Riders Were Wearing Helmets
The following morning, a group of people, including the families and friends of the killed teenagers, gathered at the crash site to pay their respects.
Broken-hearted, Mr Sandelance’s girlfriend said Zachary was kind and family-oriented.
“He always loved being around his family,” she said.
“He was so kind-hearted, loved by everyone.”
Family of Mr Short described the ongoing pain of losing a loved one, while insisting motorcycle riders need to take more care on the roads.
“All you boys out riding bikes this ain’t no joke, this is real life,” Mr Short’s cousin Tahlia Short wrote on Facebook.
“People are heartbroken and heaven has gained not only one angel but two.”
“They Screwed Up Big Time”: Mixed Opinions Expressed over Incident on Social Media
The senseless tragedy also garnered emotional tributes from members of the public, however, opinions over the incident were evidently mixed.
In a post shared to Facebook by 7NEWS Adelaide informing of the catastrophe, social media users expressed their sorrow and disbelief.
“Such a loss of two young lives. Sincere condolences to the families. Regardless bike was stolen no family deserves to lose their child in a horrific accident,” wrote one Top Fan of the page.
“If that was my son, I would be so broken. I’m so sorry for your loss my heart goes out to all the family, kids are kids they all grew up doing things they shouldn’t. But so shocking to lose their lives,” another user commented.
Nevertheless, many members of the page were unabashed to call out the teenagers’ irrational antics and place them at fault of the calamity.
“Such a senseless tragedy… Why do the young feel they are invincible? Sadly, the truth is they screwed up big time and now their families are left to grieve their loss because of irresponsible choices made. No one wishes this upon anyone regardless of the circumstances of how they got to where they were, such a waste of life and thankfully no one else was killed,” one user expressed.
“I’m not surprised… I’ve watched these lads for months now putting everyone else’s lives at risk thinking they’re invisible going flat out around the streets, no helmets and on stolen bikes. Wtf. Total lack of respect for other road users who do the right thing… So so sorry for the poor guy who hit them,” stated another.
This was backed by another social media user who detailed the observation that they were spotted riding around earlier in the week with no helmets.
“They were seen Thursday riding around Salisbury, no helmets, no plates, they had fun for two days, sorry to the families, the person who owns the bike and the driver who have to pick up the pieces,” she wrote.
Another simply offered a stern message that in the face of such a tragedy, people should show some respect.
“RIP have some respect to their family and friends and what is with people laughing what have they said there is nothing to laugh about yes they shouldn’t have done what they did but they are never coming back, so have some respect, if you can’t say nothing nice don’t say it at all,” she wrote.
Police have not made clear whether the teenage boys were wearing helmets as they rode the motorcycle, nor whether while on the vehicle they ran a red light.
All factors that could have contributed to the crash are currently under investigation.
The law on motor vehicle theft is outlined in 154F of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
Theft of a motorbike or any kind of motor vehicle, including vessel in NSW carries up to ten-years jail.
The term ‘motor vehicle’ is defined in the law under section 154E Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). It includes a motor vehicle built to be propelled by a motor, forming part of the vehicle as referred to also in section 4 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW).
Have a question on motor vehicle theft laws? Call our experienced Sydney criminal lawyers, who appear across all criminal courts.