Connor Matthiasson fronts court over the death of Elise Hodder
The father of a man accused of killing a Clifton Hill model after a Kooyong rave has offered the court $100,000 to secure his son’s bail.
Leader
Don't miss out on the headlines from Leader . Followed categories will be added to My News.
The father of a man accused of killing a Clifton Hill model after a Kooyong rave has offered the court $100,000 to secure his son’s bail.
Sunbury man Connor Matthiasson appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and negligently causing serious injury.
Police allege the 23-year-old was unlicensed, drunk and under the influence of cannabis when he got behind the wheel of his car as police arrived to break up the rave about 1.10am on Sunday.
It’s alleged he hit Elise Hodder, dragging her under the car as he tried to leave the carpark of Sir Zelman Cowen Park.
It is understood Ms Hodder and Mr Matthiasson were both attendees at the party but did not know each other.
Magistrate Donna Bakos said Mr Mathiasson allegedly “accelerated heavily” while attempting to reverse his Holden Commodore out of the Malvern City Football Club carpark about 1am.
With three passengers in the car, Mr Mathiasson allegedly hit one pedestrian while reversing before accelerating heavily and striking Ms Hodder and another person.
He allegedly recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.178 and tested positive for cannabis.
The prosecution objected to bail, saying there was a strong case against Mr Mathiasson and that he was looking at a lengthy jail sentence if convicted.
He was a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others, the prosecution submitted.
The accused’s family sat in the front row of the short 10-minute hearing on Tuesday morning, where Ms Bakos set his bail surety at $100,000.
His father put up the surety.
Ms Bakos said Mr Mathiasson’s father impressed her as an honest and caring dad who worked from home and would supervise his bailed son.
In granting bail, Ms Bakos said Mr Matthiasson was a young man with no relevant driving convictions who had never been in custody before.
She said it could be a while before all police reports were completed for the court, and that Mr Matthiasson had underlying mental health issues he was trying to address.
The court heard Mr Matthiasson’s licence had expired in July last year and was facing five charges, including being under the influence of cannabis.
On Monday, Ms Hodder’s parents Michael and Pauline said they had been “torn apart” by the sudden tragedy.
“She was not only a model, but a lifeguard who protected other people,” the couple told the Herald Sun on Monday night.
“Simply — she was a beautiful, beautiful soul with a radiance that touched everybody. Her presence, respect for others and calmness is what the world was lucky to have. Our hearts are broken but devoted to supporting family and her friends. Torn apart, but your smile and heartbeat will always be with us.”
It is understood Ms Hodder came from a large policing family, with her father a retired Victoria Police officer.
Mr Matthiasson will return to court in February.
Supercar champ, ex-Total Tools boss punting Peninsula pad
The family of late Autobarn co-founder Garry Dumbrell, including son Paul — a retired Supercars’ champion and former Total Tools bigwig — are farewelling a luxury Peninsula property.
‘She was preyed upon’: Mushroom victim’s family demand answers
Rachael Dixon’s grieving parents have spoken for the first time since their daughter’s death, alleging a trusted friend took advantage of her at a health retreat in regional Victoria.