Teen charged over Melbourne CBD crash wants to plead guilty, court hears

Topic:CrimePosted Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 12:25pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 12:25pmA teenage driver allegedly hit a 57-year-old pedestrian near Flinders Street Station on October 11. (ABC News: Kate Ashton)In short: A teenage boy has told a children's court he wants to plead guilty to charges relating to hitting a pedestrian in a stolen car in the Melbourne CBD.A 57-year-old woman was injured on October 11 when the 16-year-old allegedly crashed into her near Flinder Street Station.The boy's lawyer told his client they should talk "more carefully" before he enters a plea.A teenager has told the children's court he wants to plead guilty, after he was charged with crashing a stolen car into a woman near Flinders Street Station this month.Witnesses described chaotic scenes as a speeding car was driven erratically through the city on October 11, near where thousands of people were competing in the Melbourne Marathon.Emergency services swarmed the area after a 57-year-old woman was struck near the intersection of Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street.She was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.Today, the 16-year-old-boy allegedly behind the wheel faced a Children's Court via video link.Police alleged the stolen Ford Escape was driven along tram tracks. (ABC News: Leanne Wong)The boy asked to address the magistrate directly after his lawyer applied to adjourn the case."Can't I just plead guilty today?" the teenager said."I've done what I've done. I want to plead guilty to all of this."In open court, the boy's defence lawyer told him it was "something we have to talk about more carefully" before that could occur.The boy is facing charges of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, numerous driving offences, failing to render assistance, theft and handling stolen goods.Police alleged the stolen Ford Escape was driven along tram tracks on Flinders Street when the woman was hit.Police and Protective Services Officers drew their firearms when the driver allegedly performed a U-turn outside the station.The vehicle was driven along Flinders Lane and hit several parked cars, officers alleged.The 16-year-old was arrested later that day in Albert Park.Police ruled out terrorism or a targeted attack.Today, the teenager complained about journalists watching his hearing on a video link, fearing they could be taking pictures of him.His lawyer assured him that would not happen and he would not be identified in reporting for legal reasons. "The people you're seeing on the link are people who respect those rules, they know them very clearly," the lawyer said.The boy, who is also facing unrelated charges, will have all his cases listed together at the next hearing on November 19.