Touching tribute to teen crash victim
A police commissioner whose teenage son was killed in an alleged hit-and-run while on Schoolies has shared some heartwarming news.
Charlie Stevens, 18, the son of South Australian police boss Grant Stevens, was killed while celebrating the end of school in Goolwa last November.
The tight-knit family were devastated by the death of their youngest son, with Commissioner Stevens sharing an emotional letter in the wake of his sudden death, describing him as a “force of nature” and “so much more than a number in a tally”.
Last week, they welcomed a new member to the family, with Charlie’s sister Sophie giving birth to her second child.
Annabelle Charlie Tregloen was born at Ashford Hospital on March 13 – her middle name paying tribute to her late uncle.
The family also celebrated the arrival of Charlie’s cousin Abby Price’s son, who she named Dusty Charles in honour of one the many nicknames imparted on the 18-year-old through his life.
Commissioner Stevens told the Advertiser the two babies have brought so much joy to the family after a difficult few months.
“It’s overwhelming,” he said.
“Two gorgeous little babies who now have a legacy they probably won’t appreciate but it means so much to everyone in the family.
“Charlie would be making absolute mileage out of it.”
THOUSANDS GATHER FOR FAREWELL
Charlie was farewelled in a funeral service at the Adelaide Oval in December that shifted between tears and laughter as the thousand-strong mourners remembered the larger-than-life personality.
Delivering the eulogy at this funeral, Commissioner Stevens said: “Charlie, your mum and I love you. We are devastated that you were taken from us so soon.
“We said you were a force of nature, full of energy, unstoppable. Unforgettable.
“We are heartbroken (but) we can’t think of you without smiling.
“We have missed you every day since we said goodbye and we will always miss you forever, Charlie boy.”
Commissioner Stevens’ voice broke when he looked to Charlie’s friends and thanked them for being with the family in their time of grief.
“It’s meant the world to us that Charlie’s mates have spent so much time with us since we lost him,” he said.
“It warmed our hearts to have that group of boys just being in our home.”
THE LETTER
A shockwave of pain engulfed South Australia and the heartache swept across the country following the release of a public letter from Charlie’s parents just days after his death in which they refer to their son as “101”.
“I am writing this sitting in a bedroom with dirty clothes on the floor, an unmade bed, six drinking glasses lined up on the bedside table, an empty KFC box next to the glasses, wardrobe doors left open and a row of skateboards leaning on the wall – it is a mess and it’s perfect. This is where 101 lived,” Mr Stevens wrote.
“Cheeky, intense and funny – a loveable ratbag from the moment he could talk. He was as frustrating as hell, but he was also the kid who would look after others, befriend the lonely, and help those who were struggling.
“Intensity shone through as 101 committed to each new passion – Lego, BBL, scooters, footy, cricket, basketball, surfing, downhilling, Fortnight and his skateboard – it was all or nothing and it was always all.”
“101 is Charles Stevens – Charlie, Charlie Boy, Chas, Links, Steve. You lived life and gave so much to so many. You were a force of nature and we will never forget your beautiful cheeky, disarming smile.
