Heartwarming update for police boss whose son was tragically killed in a hit-and-run

After a year of heartbreak, one of Australia’s top cops has been nominated for a prestigious national award.

South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens is in contention for the 2025 Australian of The Year.

It comes as he and his family are still mourning the loss of their son Charlie, 18, who was killed in a hit-and-run while celebrating Schoolies at Goolwa Beach, south of Adelaide, in November last year.

Mr Stevens joked he had to clarify if his Australian of the Year nomination was genuine on Friday.

‘I had to double check it was someone having a lend of me… one of my staff trying to be funny,’ he said.

‘Turns out it was a genuine phone call.’

Mr Steven’s son Charlie suffered significant brain damage in the crash and died at Flinders Medical Centre the next day, surrounded by family and friends.

Despite the crushing loss of their son, the Stevens family have been bravely advocating for organ donation and road safety. 

Despite the crushing loss of their son Charlie, Mr Stevens and his wife Emma (both pictured) have been bravely advocating for organ donation and road safety

‘It’s no longer just words on a piece of paper when you stand up and talk about the consequences of people losing their lives on the road,’ Mr Stevens said.

‘I wish I didn’t have that perspective.’

Mr Stevens said his wife deserves any accolade as much as he does.

‘She is the strong one of the two of us,’ he said.

‘She’s the one that’s really pushed some of the things we’ve been trying to achieve in terms of awareness… that’s all about Emma so she deserves as much recognition as me, I think.’

Mr Stevens is one of four people nominated for SA’s Australian of the Year.

He said with the calibre of his fellow nominees, he is definitely not getting ahead of himself.

Charlie Stevens was tragically killed in a hit-and-run on November 17 last year. He is pictured with his father

‘I’ve been nominated along with a professor, a rocket scientist and a doctor who does cancer research,’ he said.

‘That’s fairly high-level company.’

The winner of the South Australian of the Year will be announced on November 7.

The young driver who fatally struck Charlie was handed a suspended sentence on Tuesday. 

Dhirren Singh Randhawa, 19, received a suspended sentence of one year, one month and seven days in jail when he faced the SA District Court.

The suspension stands for two years, secured by a $1,000 good behaviour bond.

He was also banned from driving for 10 years.

Following the sentencing decision, Mr Stevens said he was grateful that the court process was over.

‘We’re grateful that this part of the entire process is over,’ he said.

‘Each court date that’s come up has been difficult, stressful and emotional for our family, but we’re grateful that Dhirren chose to plead guilty to the offence because that brought this part of it to a conclusion much more quickly.

‘It’s not that we now move on, we’re learning to live life without Charlie. We are always reminded of his absence and we are grateful that Dhirren has taken responsibility for his actions.’