Killed driver unlicensed, in stolen car

30/07/2010 | 09:51 PM

A teenager killed in a double fatality was driving a stolen car on a cancelled learner's permit at the time of the crash, police say.

The 17-year-old male from Thornbury in Melbourne's north and his female passenger in her 20s, who is yet to be identified, died at the scene.

The stolen Holden sedan was travelling north along St Georges Road in North Fitzroy when it slammed into a lamp post near Miller Street about 2am (AEST) on Friday.

Police are investigating witnesses' claims the car was seen driving erratically before the crash, Sergeant Justin Goldsmith of Northcote Police told reporters.

He said police had only recently established that the Holden was stolen from outside a home in Craigieburn, in the city's far north, earlier in the evening.

The vehicle's owners were not aware the car had been stolen until police told them on Friday morning.

Sgt Goldsmith said there were no signs of forced entry to the Holden and the owner was in possession of both sets of keys. Police believe a different Holden key found in the driver's possession may have proved compatible with the car and facilitated the theft.

Sgt Goldsmith said it was a great waste of life.

"It's obviously really reckless conduct, really negligent driving," he said.

"Young people have got to realise they've got a responsibility to drive safely on the roads.

"It has an enormous impact on the community when somebody's life is taken in those circumstances.

"It's not just them, it's their family and their friends and the police involved."

Sgt Goldsmith said the driver had a previous traffic offence which had led to his learner's permit being cancelled.

It is not known if his female passenger was fully licensed.

Meanwhile, a 20-year-old man was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition after crashing his Holden utility into a pole.

The driver clipped another vehicle attempting to turn right into Dorset Road, Boronia, and then struck a pole about 12.35am.

Police are investigating whether speed contributed to the crash.

In a separate incident, a woman was killed in a two-car smash in Victoria's southeast about 5.15pm.

The accident happened on the intersection of Three Chain and Neilsens Roads in Cowwarr, east of Melbourne.

A police spokesman said a woman, whose age was unknown, was killed in the smash.

An ambulance spokesman said two other people were injured, including a woman aged in her 30s who was trapped in a car and suffered head and chest injuries. She was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition.

A man, 51, sustained chest injuries and was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.

Victoria's road toll stands at 190 compared with 171 at the same time last year.