A fundraising campaign for the family of a pregnant Hobart woman whose unborn child and two-year-old son survived the car crash that killed her on Friday has raised more than $56,000 in one day.
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Sarah Paino, 24, had just dropped her partner, Daniel Stirling, at his work at a bakery at 1am, and was driving with her two-year-old in the back seat when a stolen Toyota RAV 4 slammed into her Nissan Tida sedan at high speed.
Ms Paino died but doctors at the Royal Hobart Hospital successfully delivered her 32-week-term baby. Her two-year-old was treated for minor injuries.
The ABC reported on Saturday that the newborn remains in intensive care in a stable condition.
Mr Stirling's employer, Banjo's Bakery Cafes, began the Stirling Family Fundraising campaign that day.
On Friday, it posted: "Together we raised $30,540.00 so far in just 5 hours. Please share far and wide so we can try a make a difference for this young family as they face the future."
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged with manslaughter and stealing a motor vehicle on Friday afternoon, according to Tasmania Police.
Four teenagers were in the Rav 4 when it appeared to run a red light, causing the collision with Ms Paino's car about 1am at the intersection of Davey and Argyle streets in Hobart's CBD. Debris was strewn across the street and the Rav 4 appeared to have been badly burnt after the crash.
The 15-year-old driver fled the scene but was found by police later Friday morning. He was treated in hospital, reportedly under police guard.
Three passengers in the Rav 4, two 15-year-old boys and a 12-year-old girl, were also receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Police said the teens, all believed to be from the Hobart area, are assisting with the investigation.
Southern Commander Glenn Frame said the Rav 4 was believed to be stolen from Glenorchy at about 11pm on Thursday.
He said the Rav 4 was spotted by police travelling at speed without its lights on in the Mornington area about five minutes before the crash.
Commander Frame said the car was again seen travelling at a speed of about 120km/h on the Tasman Bridge about two minutes before the crash.
He said police officers made an operational decision not to pursue the vehicle on both occasions, in line with police regulations.
Commander Frame said charges had yet to be laid over the incident.
"This was an avoidable crash, which undoubtedly will have a major impact on all those involved. On behalf of Tasmania Police and our members, I extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased," Commander Frame said.
As part of the investigation police are seeking witnesses to the crash and in addition would encourage anyone who saw the stolen black coloured Toyota Rav with Queensland registration plates 013LUK being driven in the greater Hobart area to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
