Matthias Ungemach: Next stage in case against man charged with hit and run death of Tony Plati

The former Olympian charged over the alleged hit and run death of a man at Freshwater, appeared at Manly Local Court. See the latest details here.

Matthias Ungemach at Mosman Rowing Club. The court case involving the German Olympic rower has been moved to the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: Youtube

The case of a man charged over the alleged hit and run death of northern beaches’ man Antonio “Tony” Plati has been moved to the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court.

German Olympic and World Champion rower Matthias Ungemach is alleged to have been behind the wheel of a 4WD towing a boat trailer that struck Mr Plati.

Matthias Ungemach outside Manly Court House earlier this year. Picture: Manly Daily

Mr Ungemach, 52, of Curl Curl, was arrested in July, five months after Mr Plati, 66 was found critically injured in the middle of Oliver St at Freshwater He died soon after in Royal North Shore Hospital.

The retired greengrocer had been out for an early morning walk to the beach on February 22.

Mr Ungemach, the head rowing coach at Mosman Rowing Club, is charged with one count of each of dangerous driving causing death; fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death and; negligent driving occasioning death.

Tony Plati, 66, of Freshwater. Picture: Supplied

In Manly Local Court on Thursday, Magistrate Michelle Goodwin adjourned the matter for charge certification to the Downing Centre Local Court on January 21 next year.

As part of the charge certification process a senior prosecutor will review the brief of evidence served on Mr Ungemach and confirm, or certify, the charges that will proceed.

The accused is yet to enter any pleas.

The court case had been delayed while police gathered more evidence. The court was told in October, and again last week, that police were still waiting on the results of forensic and biomechanical tests.

Matthias Ungemach (left) was arrested and charged at Manly Police Station in July in relation to the alleged hit and tun death of Tony Plati in February. Picture: NSW Police

In the days after Mr Plati’s death police formed Strike Force Clarefield to investigate the incident and released CCTV footage of a large 4WD towing a long trailer carrying rowing boats along Oliver St at around the time Mr Plati was allegedly injured.

Police will allege in court that Mr Ungemach was driving the 4WD and that it, or the trailer, struck Mr Plati and that the driver failed to stop and help.