Craig Caithness charged with killing Aaran Brown in alleged horror hit-and-run crash: Court

An accused hit-and-run driver claims the “good and kind-hearted” Sunshine West man he allegedly killed while driving on meth made a “deliberate decision” to step in front of his car, a court has heard.

Aaran Brown, 27, was killed in a hit-run crash at Derrimut.

An allegedly methed-up driver will fight allegations he killed a man in a horror hit-and-run crash in Melbourne’s west, claiming the victim “deliberately” stepped in front of his car.

Wyndham Vale man Craig Caithness, 37, pleaded not guilty at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday to culpable driving causing death.

He is accused of mowing down Sunshine West man Aaran Brown, 27, on Boundary Rd between William Angliss Drive and Mt Derrimut Road in Derrimut just before 3.50am on February 11 before allegedly dumping his Holden Rodeo and fleeing the scene.

Aaran Brown’s body was found on Boundary Rd in Derrimut after a fatal hit-and-run crash. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Brown’s sister Kaela described him as a “good and kind-hearted person” who was “so innocent”.

The court heard Mr Brown was prescribed resperidone for his schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum and had been reported missing to police the night of his death after disappearing from his sister’s home.

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Police later found Mr Brown’s body left lying in the street, with CCTV capturing the horrific moment Mr Caithness allegedly ran him down.

The prosecution argued Mr Caithness was driving dangerously and had made no attempt to slow down or avoid Mr Brown, and had continued to drive over his body.

Sunshine West man Aaran Brown, 27, was killed in a hit-run crash at Derrimut.

The court heard Mr Caithness allegedly had been driving after smoking meth about two-and-a-half hours before getting behind the wheel and had been on the phone about 24 seconds before the crash.

However, the defence argued Mr Caithness’ driving “didn’t cause the crash”, and Mr Brown had made a “deliberate decision” to walk in the middle of the road and step in front of the moving car.

The defence told the court there was “no reason” for Mr Brown to be in the middle of a road with no provision for pedestrians and the CCTV footage “clearly showed” Mr Brown making a “sudden movement” in front of Mr Caithness’ car.

Mr Caithness’ lawyer said Mr Brown was “unwell” and was “sadly” seen walking in front of traffic in the hours preceding the collision.

Magistrate Timothy Gattuso committed Mr Caithness to stand trial in the County Court next year.

Mr Caithness did not apply for bail and will remain in custody ahead of his anticipated seven to 10 day trial.