Matthias Ungemach: Man charged over hit and run death of Tony Plati allegedly ‘made admissions’, court told
Documents tendered in court reveal new aspects of a court case after an Olympian, who is also a Mosman rowing coach, was charged over the hit and run death of Freshwater’s Tony Plati.
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Documents tendered in court reveal new aspects of a court case following the shock hit and run death of much-loved northern beaches man Tony Plati, who police will allege was killed by the head coach of Mosman Rowing Club.
Matthias Ungemach, 52, of Curl Curl was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death and negligent driving occasioning death, on Thursday.
The former Olympic Rower made “certain admissions” and made himself available to police the day after he became aware of the incident, according to documents tendered in Manly Local Court.
The alleged incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning on February 22, when Tony Plati was on his regular morning walk.
Emergency services were called at 5.45am after reports a pedestrian, Mr Plati, had been hit on Oliver St, Freshwater, with critical injuries but he died later in hospital.
On Thursday Ungemach, a father of three, appeared at Manly Local Court after he was arrested.
Investigators raided Mosman Rowing Club on March 19 where they seized Ungeman’s VW Amarok Ute and a boat trailer.
During court proceedings Ungemach was granted conditional bail with the matter set to return on September 2.
He was represented by a lawyer referred to as McKenzie in court papers.
According to notes made by the magistrate under summary for reasons of bail decision, Ungemach’s lawyer made a number of points to Magistrate Michelle Goodwin in a push for bail.
The defence submitted that Ungemach has “strong community ties” and “has been co-operating” with no criminal history or major traffic offences.
In the same documents, it was also noted Ungemach went to police the day after he “became aware of the incident” and there was correspondence from his legal representatives as early as February.
The magistrate also wrote that Ungemach’s defence said there had been no evidence directly referred to in facts over the manner of his Ungemach’s driving.
Other submissions made by Ungemach’s lawyer mentioned media releases were dispatched “after a statement has already been provided.”
Meanwhile, Magistrate Goodwin also wrote down that the prosecution opposed bail for a number of reasons including the likelihood of a custodial sentence and because there was strong evidence including CCTV.
In documents under decision for bail decision by police officer, police write “the accused has made certain admissions. As well, a large amount of CCTV is available and various forensic analysis has been concluded”.
Ungemach was granted bail and is required to report to Dee Why police station daily. He was ordered to surrender his Australian passport and expired German passport.
He is also banned from being within 500 metres of any international point of departure and paid a security deposit of $20,000.
Ungemach came to Australia in 2002 and is a former Olympic rower. He is married to fellow Olympian Judith Ungemach, born Zeidler, who won Olympic gold in the women’s eight in Seoul in 1988 and bronze in Barcelona in 1992.
She is also a coach at Mosman Rowing Club.
He was described as a devoted family man who was the “most giving person ever known”.
The Manly Daily approached Ungemach for comment. His wife Judith answered the door, said he did not reside at the address before turning off the lights and shutting the blinds.