Emotional candlelit vigil held in memory of pregnant mum killed in high speed crash

An emotional candlelit vigil has been held in Hobart after a pregnant mother was killed in a high speed crash in Hobart, donating more than $117,000.

Following the tragic death of pregnant Sarah Paino, the tight-knit community in Hobart has rallied around her family and launched a fundraising page while her newborn baby fights for life in hospital.

The online fundraising effort has gained incredible support, managed to raise more than $53,000 within the first 24 hours since it’s launch.

The 24-year-old expectant mother was on her way home with her two-year-old son after dropping her partner at work in Hobart about 1am Friday.

Tragically, she didn’t make it home.

The fundraising social media posting states: “In the early hours of January 22 Sarah dropped her partner Daniel a baker at Banjo's Bakery Cafes to work."

“Travelling home with her 2 year old in the back seat she was hit by a stolen vehicle which ran a red light. Sarah lost her life - she was 32 weeks pregnant.”

The company that Daniel works for then went onto express their condolences for the family.

The fatal accident occurred when a stolen Toyota Rav 4 travelling ‘at speed’ collided with her Nissan Tiida.

Ms Paino was 32 weeks pregnant at the time of the crash. Her baby managed survived the crash and was later delivered in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Police said her two-year-old son was lucky to escape with minor injuries.

Before the crash police had tried to stop the stolen car twice, however according to procedure they did not pursue it.

A 15-year-old boy has since been charged with manslaughter after he allegedly drove a stolen car that crashed into, and killed, a pregnant mother.

Immediately after the crash the alleged driver fled the scene but was later found by police and arrested.

The Mercury reported the teen was under police guard in hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

He has been charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of stealing a car.

Three other teens who were in the car, two boys aged 15 and 12 and a 15-year-old girl, were treated in hospital and were assisting police with inquiries.

Police have laid charges against the three other passengers of the SUV.

Following the tragedy debris was sprawled over the road, the Rav 4 was badly burnt.

It’s reported there was no evidence of braking at the scene.

Police alleged the Rav 4 was travelling about 120kph right before the crash.

Police commander Glenn Frame described the crash as a tragedy for everyone involved but an avoidable one.

He said police will ensure the dead woman's partner and father of their children receives appropriate support and care.

"Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and the friends of the deceased," he said.

Mr Frame said officers tried to intercept the speeding SUV twice before the crash, after seeing it driving fast with its lights off.

But they did not pursue it as per police policy.

"When you have young, inexperienced drivers in stolen vehicles driving like idiots that puts the public at risk," he told reporters.

"The last thing we want is police vehicles pursuing those vehicles and putting the public at risk.

"It's not joy-riding. It's not a bit of fun, it puts lives at risk ... it's something I think we're a bit complacent about as a community."