Alleged driver who hit school boys charged
The traumatic incident allegedly began in NSW, where police say the 31-year old man from Warrenheip stole a green Holden Commodore station wagon with an eight-year old girl inside, from a childcare centre in Sutton about 7.40am on Friday.
Monaro Police District officers were told a man entered the vehicle and drove off, letting the girl out 100m down the road unharmed.
'The car drove off and was sighted travelling into the ACT. No pursuit was initiated,' a NSW police spokesman said.
ACT Policing believe the offender travelled from Sutton, NSW, possibly through Queanbeyan and into the ACT between 7.40am and 9.10am on Friday.
The man was allegedly out of control and veered off the road when he collided with two school boys from St Edmund's College aged 14 and 15 on Friday.
The boys were rushed to hospital with serious injuries from the collision; one of the teens required surgery from his injuries.
It is alleged the driver continued along Canberra Ave before he collided with other vehicles and came to a stop near a shopping precinct in Manuka.
The alleged driver tried to flee the collision but was apprehended by a group of tradies who detained him until police arrived, ACT Policing Acting Superintendent Mark Steel told media on Friday.
Acting Superintendent Steel said the man was taken into custody and was placed under police guard while he received treatment in a Canberra hospital.
He said the man who was known to police.
Police confirmed the alleged driver was subject to interstate parole and bail conditions and is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court to face nine charges on Saturday.
He has been charged with unlicensed driving, driving a motor vehicle without consent, dangerous driving, and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
An ACT Policing spokesman acknowledged the collision outside St Edmund's College would have been a confronting scene for witnesses.
'We encourage anyone who witnessed that incident to seek professional support,' the spokesman said.
'Major Collision Team investigators continue to urge anyone who may have footage of the vehicle or who witnessed the incident yesterday morning to come forward.'
St Edmund's College principal Tim Cleary said the injured boys' parents were with them while they received treatment in hospital.
'The College has organised additional counsellors to support any students who may have been affected by witnessing the event or knowing the students involved,' Mr Cleary said in a letter to parents.
'Please keep the boys and their families in your prayers.'
Education Minister Yvette Berry said people in Canberra were thinking of those who had been directly impacted by the tragic incident and were beyond grateful for those who responded.
'My heart is with the two boys their family, friends and the St Edmund's College Canberra Community,' she said in a social media post.
'Strong hugs to everybody today and for the days to come.'
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