'Too young to die': Families describe grief after two teens killed by 14-year-old driver

CONTENT WARNING: This article may distress some readers.

The actions of a 14-year-old boy had life-altering consequences for three families, both those of the two teenagers he killed in a horrific car crash, as well as his own.

He admitted killing two of his passengers, 19-year-old Joshua Stewart and a 14-year-old boy, by crashing a stolen car he was driving on the Barton Highway in January 2024.

The courtroom was filled with members of all three families when the driver faced the ACT Supreme Court for his sentencing hearing on Monday (5 May).

Mr Stewart, who died soon after the crash, was kind, selfless, caring, had “a bright, wide smile” and “put others before himself”, his mother wrote in a statement.

“I am overwhelmed by an anger and a grief that I can’t get away from,” she said.

“The saddest thing is that I know that no sentence can bring Josh back.”

The 14-year-old victim died from his injuries about seven months after the crash.

His family described him as caring, outgoing, cheeky, loyal, “an old soul” and always wanting to make people laugh.

“I will never be able to forgive the offender for what he did,” his mother wrote in a statement for the court.

The 14-year-old victim’s stepfather wrote that the months spent in hospital had been a “nightmare”. The victim had 20 surgeries and spent two months in the intensive care unit before being moved to a ward where his parents cared for him for 15 hours a day.

“I love you son, I look forward to the day we meet again,” the stepfather said.

One of the victim’s sisters said, “words can’t express how this accident has obliterated my life”.

“He wasn’t just loved by my family, he was loved by all,” she said.

Another sister said the driver refused to tell police her brother’s name just after the crash, so when she arrived to see him in hospital, he was wearing a wristband with “unknown” written on it.

A third sister said knowing his name was listed as “unknown” still breaks her heart.

She said the actions of the driver had resulted in “a life sentence” for her and Mr Stewart’s families.

“[The 14-year-old victim] treated you like a brother,” she wrote to the driver.

She said he had never shown he was sorry.

The 14-year-old’s cousin said the victim and Mr Stewart put their trust in the driver and the pair “were too young to die”.

Under questioning from the driver’s lawyer, David Bloomfield, a former case manager said he had concerns for the boy’s safety because a number of threats had allegedly been made towards him by several people.

Mr Bloomfield said his young client had “a profoundly deprived upbringing” and was now remorseful, scared and vulnerable.

He argued that his client had tried to brake before the crash, but it was too late.

ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Victoria Engel SC said the driver was unlicenced, had never driven before, was driving on a main highway and was impaired “by his complete inability to know how to drive”.

She argued his driving presented a danger to many people that night, and that danger was realised by the loss of two lives.

Justice David Mossop will hand down his sentence later this month.

Region previously reported the driver stole a Toyota Avalon on the evening of 17 January 2024, then a few hours later drove it through a red light and crashed into a Toyota Hilux on the Barton Highway.

Three passengers were in the stolen car, being Mr Stewart and two 14-year-old boys.

Mr Stewart died when he arrived at hospital, while the 14-year-old victim was taken to hospital with a traumatic brain injury and died from his injuries in August 2024.

The driver, who is now aged 15 and has spent over 200 days in custody so far, ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of culpable driving causing death.

The 14-year-old victim isn’t named to avoid identifying the driver, who legally cannot be named due to his age.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:

Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.