Charges against the young man accused of killing the son of South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens in an alleged hit-and-run crash have been set.
Director of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton KC told Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday he would proceed with the charge that Dhirren Randhawa, 18, caused death by dangerous driving when he allegedly struck Charlie Stevens in the November crash.
The court heard the prosecution would also proceed with the lesser charges of leaving an accident scene after causing death, driving without due care and failing to answer questions.
Police laid the same set of charges against Mr Randhawa days after the crash at Goolwa Beach, south of Adelaide, and the confirmation of the charges follow the delivery of crash reconstruction reports.
The court also heard “negotiations” between the prosecution and Mr Randhawa’s defence team had begun.
Mr Randhawa will next appear in court on June 5 to enter his pleas.
Charlie is the 18-year-old son of Mr Stevens.
His death sent shockwaves through South Australia and hundreds attended his funeral service at Adelaide Oval.
Mr Randhawa stood quietly in the dock on Tuesday, with his mother supporting him from the public gallery.
His family have hired barrister Jane Abbey KC to defend him.
Two older siblings of Charlie attended the hearing, flanked by police officers.
An independent lead investigator, separate from the SAPOL hierarchy, has taken charge of the investigation.
If Mr Randhawa is found guilty, he faces a maximum jail term of 15 years and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for 10 years.