Mitchell Boskov: Young father was allegedly driving with a cancelled licence during deadly police chase

A police pursuit turned deadly on Wednesday night when a young father accused of driving on a cancelled licence allegedly ran a red light and smashed into a car. Mitchell Boskov, 26, faced Armadale Magistrates Court via audio link from hospital on Thursday charged with manslaughter, reckless driving to escape a police pursuit, reckless driving causing bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation, and driving without authority. Police allege Mr Boskov was fleeing police in a white Nissan Navara utility when it smashed into a blue Ford Falcon station wagon at the intersection of Hale Road and Tonkin Highway in Forrestfield about 10.17pm on Wednesday. The male driver was killed and his female passenger was injured. Detective Superintendent Garry Saunders, of the major crime division, said officers first activated their lights and sirens after sighting the ute, allegedly being driven by the Middle Swan man. Mr Boskov allegedly failed to stop for police, prompting a dramatic evade incident which was cut short because of his “erratic” driving. “Due to the erratic driving of the vehicle, police terminated the evade less than one minute after it began at the intersection of Tonkin Highway and Hale Road,” Det-Supt. Saunders said. “(The driver) failed to stop at a red traffic control light, entered the intersection and collided with a blue Ford Falcon that was occupied by the deceased and a passenger.” Det-Supt. Saunders said the crash caused the ute to spin and smash into a traffic light, “before coming to rest on a stationary police vehicle that was parked at the intersection”. “This police vehicle was not involved in the earlier evade incident,” he said. The male driver suffered critical injuries and died at the scene. His female passenger was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital before being discharged on Thursday. Witness Kaz Staszak said he was watching a movie when he heard multiple car sirens speed past his home. “I was watching TV and heard noises (of) cars going quick,” he said. “I ignored it and next thing you know there’s a siren (and) before you know it there’s another siren. “There’s about 10 vehicles (at the crash site), firetrucks, police, ambulances ... unfortunately (someone) passed away and (someone) was stuck inside the vehicle, so there was a firetruck trying to get (them) out of the car.” Mr Staszak said he was shocked and saddened to hear someone had died. “It was a bit of a frightening experience,” he said. “There were a couple of neighbours (having a look to) see what was happening, it’s pretty sad.” The Forrestfield local said the intersection at Hale Road and Tonkin Highway had become a lot less dangerous since authorities had installed a red light camera. “It used to be people (trying to get) from this end to the other end just going through really quickly,” he said. “It was really dangerous, it’s just not good.” Det-Supt. Saunders described the incident as “tragic” and said his thoughts were with the “victim’s family, friends and anyone that’s affected by this devastating crash”. “Another innocent life has been lost on their roads through the alleged reckless and dangerous acts of another driver,” he said. “While the person has been charged over this incident, the circumstances surrounding what occurred is being thoroughly investigated.” Det. Supt. Saunders said Mr Boskov was also wanted for questioning over another ongoing investigation. The 26-year-old — who is a father to a newborn baby — told Magistrate Rosemarie Myers he hadn’t spoken with his lawyer and was unsure how long he would remain in hospital. He was remanded in custody and will front court again via video link on July 24 for legal advice.