A driver has been charged after allegedly hitting and killing a boy in Melbourne as he walked his girlfriend home on his 16th birthday.
Mentone Grammar student Lachlan McLaren died after he was hit by a white ute laden with furniture on Sunday afternoon.
The ute was allegedly seen speeding erratically on the Nepean Highway before driving up on a median strip, hitting the 16-year-old and his girlfriend.
The teen died at the scene, while his girlfriend suffered only minor injuries.
The driver was arrested and charged overnight with culpable driving causing death. He has been remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 17.
Online tributes are flowing for the year 10 student including from his own school.
"A beautiful soul has been taken from us far too young and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this most challenging of times," Mentone Grammar wrote in a post.
