The parents of a motorcyclist who died after being hit by a car allegedly stolen by teenagers while on a ride have called on young people to take action.
Nicola Pollina and his distraught wife have shared their heartbroken reaction to the death of their only son Davide, 19, who died as he returned home after visiting friends early on Sunday morning.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Bell Street and Victoria Street in Preston, in Melbourne’s north, following reports that a BMW had hit Davide’s motorcycle.
Paramedics performed CPR but he died at the scene.
Police believe the two occupants of the BMW allegedly fled the scene.
Davide’s tearful parents mourned the loss of their “beautiful and special boy” as they hugged each other through tears.
“I love you, I miss you so much,” said Mr. Pollina. He told 9News.
His wife was too distraught to speak on camera.
Nicola Pollina and his distraught wife have pleaded with the teenagers who were travelling in the allegedly stolen BMW to come forward following the death of their son.
Davide, 19, died after being hit by a suspected stolen BMW while riding his motorcycle in Preston, north of Melbourne, at about 12.40am on Sunday.
The couple received support from a family friend, Linda Vaccaro, who made a desperate appeal on their behalf.
“The people involved need to take responsibility, life is too short and we will never recover from this… committing (crimes) like this is not fun, there are consequences,” Ms Vaccaro said. He told 9News.
“The people involved need to take responsibility, life is too short and we will never recover from this… committing (crimes) like this is not fun, there are consequences,” Ms Vaccaro said.
CCTV footage from the scene captured the BMW driving ahead of the crash before two people were seen getting out and running away.
Police allege the luxury car and a Mazda were stolen from a home on Coonans Road in Pascoe Vale South at about 11.40pm on Saturday night, an hour before the collision.
Shortly afterwards, a 16-year-old boy was arrested and interviewed by detectives before being released pending further enquiries. No charges have been brought against him.
The other occupant remains at large.
The emergency services that arrived at the scene were unable to save Davide’s life.
CCTV footage captured the allegedly stolen luxury vehicle driving around the city and they had been tracking it before the collision.
TO GoFundMe Organised on behalf of Davide’s family, it said he “was travelling home on his motorcycle… when he was suddenly hit by a (presumably) stolen vehicle”.
“Davide was only 19 years old and had a full life ahead of him,” reads the fundraising announcement.
Neighbors of the house where the cars were allegedly stolen said a party had been held at the property that same night.
They revealed that on Sunday morning, the garage door had been smashed and the place was packed with police gathering evidence.
Detectives from the Serious Collision Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Family friend Linda Vaccaro called on those driving the BMW to come forward: “Life is too short (and) we will never recover from this.”
Davide had moved with his parents and older sister from Sicily a decade ago and in 2021 his father said Davide was “our pride and joy” after buying his first car.
Davide moved to Australia with his parents and Older sister from Sicily in search of a better life about a decade ago.
Mr Pollina celebrated his son’s achievement of buying his first car in 2021, writing on social media: “You are our pride.”
Davide was remembered by his hometown residents in Italy as a “handsome and respectful guy” and by his Australian friends as an avid motorcycle and car enthusiast.
Colleagues at the concrete company also paid tribute to “one of the best.”
At their former workplace, the entire team was lifted into the air as a final salute.
