A 17-year-old boy accused of killing a man in a crash in Melbourne’s east last week is now on the run from police.
It is alleged the teenager was behind the wheel of a stolen Jeep when it smashed into a car at Burwood, killing William Taylor.
Police earlier said Taylor, 28, from Ashburton, was making a right-hand turn off Warrigal Rd onto Highbury Rd in Burwood when his hatchback was T-boned by the Jeep Grand Cherokee about 7pm on July 2.
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Taylor’s hatchback landed in a frontyard where residents rushed to help, but he died at the scene.
The Jeep continued up the road for a short distance before it hit a tree, police said.
Police said the 17-year-old fled the crash with five other children but was arrested soon after, and two other teens in the car had identified him as the driver.
He was charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, failure to stop and render assistance, theft of motor vehicle and unlicensed driving.
On Friday, a children’s court granted the boy bail under strict conditions to live with his mother and continue attending an elite Melbourne school.
However, 7NEWS has learned, by Sunday, the boy had allegedly breached those conditions by fleeing his home and remains on the run as of Tuesday night.
Police opposed bail, warning the boy was an unacceptable risk.
Now, those officers are doing everything possible to track him down.
Taylor’s family said they were “heartbroken” over the “devastating loss”.
“Will was a much-loved son, brother, partner and friend,” the family said last week.
“He was a quiet, intelligent and thoughtful young man who loved his sport.”