May 13, 2025

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Incident Overview
A tragic crash on the Barton Highway in Belconnen , Australian Capital Territory, claimed the lives of two teenage boys and led to a sentencing hearing in the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 .

The driver, who was 14 years old at the time of the crash , pleaded guilty to two counts of culpable driving causing death after stealing a car and running a red light while carrying passengers — including his best friend — at high speed. The collision occurred at the intersection of Kuringa Drive and the Barton Highway just before midnight on January 17, 2024 .

As a result of the crash:

  • Joshua Stewart, 19: Died at the scene.
  • Jeremiah-Tama Hemmingsen, 14: Sustained catastrophic injuries and passed away **eight months later** in hospital.

The court heard emotional victim impact statements from both families, describing the long-lasting grief and trauma caused by the incident.

“Any summary will be inadequate to capture [the] expressions of grief they have suffered.”
— Justice David Mossop

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (approximately 11:50 pm).
  • Location: Intersection of Kuringa Drive and Barton Highway, Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory.

Vehicles Involved

  • A **stolen sedan**, driven by a then-14-year-old boy, which collided with a **ute** after running a red light.
  • The impact crushed the passenger side of the stolen vehicle, leaving two teens critically injured.

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Fatalities:
    • Joshua Stewart, 19, died at the scene.
    • Jeremiah-Tama Hemmingsen, 14, succumbed to injuries eight months later in hospital.
  • Survivors:
    • The 14-year-old driver survived but sustained injuries.
    • A fourth occupant in the car was unharmed but deeply traumatized.

Emergency Response

  • Emergency services responded within minutes of the crash being reported.
  • It took paramedics and firefighters over **30 minutes** to extract the severely injured 19-year-old from the wreckage.

“It took authorities 30 minutes to remove the 19-year-old from the wreck of the car.”
— ACT Policing report

Court Proceedings and Sentence
Justice David Mossop delivered the sentence in the ACT Supreme Court, noting the immense difficulty in balancing the offender’s age, background, and the seriousness of the crime.

The teenager was sentenced to five years and three months in jail , with the sentence suspended after two years pending good behavior. He is expected to be released in September 2026 , assuming compliance with conditions.

Key points from the sentencing included:

  • The driver admitted he had **never driven before** taking the stolen car.
  • He told police immediately after the crash: “Arrest me I’ve f****d up” and “I was driving and I f****d up.”
  • In a letter read to the court, he apologized, stating: “I cannot promise that I will not make more mistakes in life … but I will try my best to change for the better.”

Family Reactions
The family of Jeremiah-Tama Hemmingsen expressed deep disappointment with the sentence, calling it an insult to victims and their loved ones .

They urged for stricter laws around dangerous and illegal driving , particularly involving underage drivers and stolen vehicles.

“He was only 14 at the time of the crash.”
— Jeremiah-Tama Hemmingsen’s family statement

The victim’s mother described how she watched her son fight for life for eight months before passing away, saying:

“The grief has been spread out over many months.”

Community Impact
This case has sparked renewed discussions about road safety , underage driving , and vehicle theft among teenagers .

The crash also reignited concerns about the seriousness of modified or stolen vehicles in youth-related incidents and the need for stronger preventive measures and education.

For more information on youth road safety initiatives, visit:
ACT Road Safety Commission

Appeal for Information
While the case has concluded its legal proceedings, authorities continue to encourage community vigilance regarding reckless driving and vehicle theft.