Tributes pour in for William Taylor as three teenagers charged over car crash

Tributes have poured in for a talented footballer believed to have been killed when a teenager rammed his vehicle with a stolen car as he was driving to training.

William Taylor, 28, died when an allegedly stolen Jeep Cherokee collided with his Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Warrigal Road and Highbury Road in Burwood, in Melbourne's east, about 7pm on Tuesday.

Six teenagers were reportedly inside the Jeep at the time of the incident, and three of them were still at large.

A 17-year-old boy who police believe was driving the car has been charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop and assist, theft of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence.

Two 15-year-old girls have been charged with motor vehicle theft.

Police allege the boy was driving the Jeep erratically, without a license, and at speeds in excess of 100 km/h before the fatal crash.

The 17-year-old was brought before a children's court on Friday and released on bail, with a magistrate saying there was little evidence the boy was inside the car “let alone driving”.

As part of his bail conditions, the boy must adhere to a curfew from 7pm to 6am, not associate with his co-defendants and not drive.

“I have to say the case is weak, very weak,” the magistrate said, the Herald Sun reported.

Police arrested the boy, who cannot be identified, after allegedly matching his shoes to those of a suspect captured in CCTV footage and tracking data from his phone that placed him near the scene.

The court heard that the six alleged perpetrators fled the scene on foot after the crash.

A machete, electronic cigarettes, perfume and gloves were reportedly found inside the Jeep.

Mr Taylor lived in Ashburton, five kilometres east of Burwood, and was on his way to football training when he died.

Paramedics who rushed to the scene attempted to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Mr Taylor but he could not be revived.

His family and members of Ashburton United SC said they were “heartbroken” and “devastated” by the death.

“Will was a much loved son, brother, partner and friend,” his family said in a statement.

“He was a quiet, intelligent and thoughtful young man who loved his sport.

“We are heartbroken and ask that our privacy be respected as we deal with this devastating loss.”

Mr. Taylor Coach Daniel Puscasu called him a “beautiful person.”

“I am absolutely devastated by the death of William Taylor, a former player I coached at Ashburton United in a tragic accident,” Mr Puscasu wrote online.

“Will was a beautiful person, shy and friendly and a pleasure to coach…Rest in peace Wilba, thank you for all the great memories and times we shared.”

Mount Waverley City Soccer Club has expressed its condolences on the loss of a “genuine and kind person”.

“Mount Waverley City Soccer Club would like to express its condolences to the family and girlfriend of Will Taylor,” the club said.

An Ashburton United SC scarf and dozens of flowers have been piling up near the intersection where the crash happened since Wednesday morning.

The 17-year-old boy will appear in court again in August.

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