The family of a young man critically injured in a fiery Perth crash is urging people not to make assumptions or comments about the circumstances of the incident.
A police probe is underway into whether a woman was chasing two teenagers who were riding an allegedly stolen motorcycle through Perth's north at the time of Monday's crash.
Ronaldo Penny, 18, was left with critical injuries, his 17-year-old passenger was also injured as was a 49-year-old woman driving a Toyota Kluger, which rolled and caught on fire near the intersection of Hepburn Avenue and Amalfi Drive on the Hillarys and Sorrento border.
Police say a car and at least one off-road motorcycle were stolen early on Monday morning.
Shortly after, authorities were called to the crash site.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the investigation was focused on finding out whether the woman was chasing the teenagers.
He also confirmed the two bikes were from the same home the woman resided in.
"[The focus will be] how those motorcycles were stolen, who else was in company of the two males who are now in hospital and how the Toyota Kluger came to be there and the manner in which it was driven prior to the crash," he said.
"I would give a strong message to the community that nothing is worth dying over when it comes to property," he said.
"Often you'll find the people who'll put their lives at risk can result in tragedy for other members of the community, they themselves who are taking chase, and I'm not talking about this matter, I'm saying in general, members of the public that chase offenders in circumstances, we have seen it many times … these can end in tragedy for everyone involved, and my view as police is that it's not worth it.
"Call the police."
Mr Blanch said any further charges would be laid once evidence was found.
"We have strong oversight from the CCC [Corruption and Crime Commission] in all our investigations and when we have the evidence, we'll make the appropriate decisions at that time," he said.
The 17-year-old boy has been charged with three offences including aggravated home burglary and stealing.
He appeared in court via a bedside hearing in hospital on Tuesday.
Sister makes plea to social media users
Theresa Penny, 23, told the ABC her brother was suffering from a long list of serious injuries including a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, broken bones and a bruised lung.
"It's going to be a long road to recovery for him after this, it's not going to be easy. We still have months of therapy, rehab, it's not going to look good," she said.
She also asked the public to refrain from making assumptions or comments about the circumstances of the incident.
"He's funny, he's outgoing, he's lovable, he's caring, he's everything you'd want in a little brother and it's hard to see him like this because I know that he's not what these people are making him out to be on social media," she said as she fought back tears.
"He's just a little boy at the end of the day and he's suffering for what he did."
Their mother, Cathy Penny, also expressed her grief outside Royal Perth Hospital.
"My son's life is not replaceable," she said.
"We can't get him back if he goes, but he's a strong boy, and we're strong people and he has a strong spirit and he'll pull through."
