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Hit-and-run suspect Sebastian Kennett charged over death of Melbourne nurse Lynda Hansen

A 20-year-old man has been charged over the hit-and-run crash that killed Melbourne nurse Lynda Hansen, who died after her car was slammed into in the city’s south-east on Monday.

Police said Sebastian Kennett was arrested at an address in Blackburn South, in Melbourne’s east, on Thursday evening.

He was arrested on a parole warrant and taken to hospital for a health check before being returned to the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, north-west of Melbourne, police said.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives said Kennett had been charged with culpable driving, dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop after a collision with a fatality, failing to render assistance after a fatal collision, theft of a motor vehicle and driving whilst disqualified.

Footage released by police showed a second man being taken into custody, but officers have not revealed his connection to the matter.

Ms Hansen, 53, initially survived the crash but died despite the best efforts of residents who came to her aid.

She was remembered by her family as a compassionate and caring woman who worked as a cardiac nurse.

She was about to start a new job at a large private hospital.

In a statement, Ms Hansen’s family said she led a “dedicated spiritual life”, loved yoga, sang in a gospel choir and enjoyed overseas travel and caring for her elderly mother.

The case will be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

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