Harry Chandla, 31, remembered following alleged hit-and-run at Mt Pritchard
A man who died after an alleged hit and run in Sydney’s southwest has been remembered as a dependable brother and devoted uncle by his grieving family.
Fairfield
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fairfield. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man who died after an alleged hit and run in Sydney’s southwest has been remembered as a dependable brother and devoted uncle by his grieving family.
Harry Chandla, 31, a trolley collector who moved to Australia from India 10 years ago, died on Wednesday after he was allegedly struck by a Lexus at the intersection of Pritchard Street and Hemphill Ave in Mt Pritchard.
Hours later John Ung, 55, was arrested and escorted from his home – less than 10m from the scene – after police seized a duffel bag with almost $1m in cash stashed inside a freezer.
Ung was taken to Fairfield police station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving, failing to stop to assist after a vehicle impact causing death and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The 55-year-old was granted bail on Thursday at Fairfield Local Court after barrister Steve Boland alleged his client “didn’t know” he had hit a human.
“The deceased put himself in a position where he was likely to be hit,” he said.
Mr Chandla’s family broke down in tears outside Fairfield Local Court on Thursday when his older brother Arman said his family was devastated.
“It’s just too much for me at the moment to say anything, it’s definitely a big loss for my family, my sister, my mum and dad back in India,” Mr Chandla said.
Arman, who lived with his younger brother in Auburn, said his sibling was a “really religious person” and he visited a Sikh temple a day before he died.
He said his brother had a partner who was “devastated” and remembered him as a friendly and responsible person who was a “good uncle to my son”.
“You could actually count on him … … he was a dependable person,” Arman said.
He said his brother had friends in the Mt Pritchard area but had “no idea … what he was doing and whether he was with friends” on the morning he died.
The prosecution argued CCTV showed Ung failed to stop and give the victim assistance.
“Police have made no sort of submission that the victim was lying on the ground,” the prosecution said.
Mr Boland argued his client was instead subjected to an “accidental crime” where people “don’t realise they’ve hit someone until they’re called after by police”.
He said it was “not clear that he (Harry Chandla) was conscious” and there was “no reaction by way of sound” when he was hit.
The matter will return to Liverpool Local Court on May 2.
New Muslim candidate’s surprise response to October 7
Local pharmacist Ahmed Ouf has announced himself as an independent candidate for the historically safe federal Labor seat of Blaxland, held by Education Minister Jason Clare. Hear what he stands for.
‘Innocent man’ killed on way to work in ‘tragedy beyond belief’
“An innocent man” has been killed on his way to work after his car was allegedly hit by a disqualified driver speeding away from police in Sydney’s west.