Police have charged a teenager following an investigation into the death of a 12-year-old boy child after a crash in Wollongong last Tuesday.
About 1.35am (Tuesday 4 October 2022), a Holden Barina was reportedly travelling north on Memorial Drive when it crashed into a traffic control light at the intersection of Towradgi Road, Towradgi.
Officers at nearby Corrimal Police Station heard the crash and responded immediately; however, the vehicle was empty after the occupants fled.
A crime scene was established and is being examined by specialist officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit.
About 2am, emergency services were called to a home in Balgownie, responding to reports a 12-year-old boy attended the home, suffering significant injuries.
The child was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and transferred to Wollongong Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A crime scene was also established at the home and an investigation by the Crash Investigation Unit was commenced which established links between the crash and the boy's death.
Following a public appeal, a 17-year-old boy was arrested at Goulburn Police Station about 6.00pm this evening (Friday 7 October 2022).
The teen was charged with six offences, including dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, fail to stop and render assistance after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death, cause injury by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driver.
The 17-year-old was refused bail and will appear at a Children's Court tomorrow (Saturday 8 October 2022).
Investigations into the crash continue and police are calling for anyone with information or dashcam relevant to the crash investigation to contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
