Anthony Costanzo pursues and kills elderly man using a truck

An out-of-control truck driver fatally mowed down a 76-year-old man he pursued in the dead of night before attempting to cover up his crime by spray painting his vehicle.

A truck driver who fatally mowed down an elderly man spoke to an ex-cop mate in a panic to discuss the police investigation before he spray painted the Hino to hide his crime.

Costanzo was sentenced in the Supreme Court on Monday to a minimum of three years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Anthony Costanzo was suspected of breaking into Hansen Technologies while driving a truck that belonged to his employer We Do Temporary Fencing on the night of September 3, 2023.

Hansen Technologies employee Peter Row drove his Holden Commodore to his workplace to check on the suspected break in and parked his vehicle behind the truck before Costanzo reversed the Hino and hit the Commodore before driving off.

The fatal incident took place on Tidcombe Crescent in Doncaster East a short time later after Mr Row followed Costanzo and also called triple-000 to report a suspected burglary at his workplace and damage to his car.

Homicide detectives investigating the death of Peter Row on Tidcombe Crescent at Doncaster East.

The court heard that while Mr Row was following him, Costanzo enlisted the help of three of his cronies, including former police officer turned meth head Jamie Robert McKenzie, who all came to help Costanzo.

Mr McKenzie picked up a steel gate and partially blocked the Holden Commodore as the car slowed down before Mr Row accelerated and struck a man, who was with Mr McKenzie, knocking him to the ground.

Mr Row drove away and stopped on Tidcombe Cres, parked his Holden with its head lights on, got out and stood on the road before Costanzo ran him over.

Justice Rita Incerti said after fleeing the scene, Costanzo spoke to Mr McKenzie about the likely police investigation, including examination of any paint transfers between the two vehicles.

Costanzo subsequently spray painted parts of the front passenger’s side of the Hino, she said.

Mr Row wasn’t discovered until about 5.40am when a woman found his bloodied body on the scene.

When spoken to by police four says later, Costanzo denied any involvement in the fatality and suggested that Mr McKenzie was driving the Hino that night.

Peter Row was mowed down by truck driver Anthony Costanzo on Tidcombe Crescent at Doncaster East.

Justice Incerti said Costanzo’s actions resulted in the death of a highly respected man who had earned the right to enjoy his retirement after many years of hard work.

“Agitated and distressed, you decided to pursue Mr Row intending to confront him. Nothing good was ever going to come of your conduct.

“You did this behind the wheel of a Hino truck, in the dark, in suburban streets. It was simply stupid and reckless,” the judge said.

Justice Incerti said Costanzo not only implicated Mr McKenzie and attempted to conceal the Hino’s involvement by spray painting it, he callously fled the scene knowing what he had done.

She imposed a total sentence of five years’ imprisonment.