Delahey man charged over fatal drag race at EJ Whitten Bridge
THE man charged over a double fatality in which a car flew off a busy Melbourne bridge says, “Ever since it happened I have been different”.
National
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A MAN has been charged and bailed over last week’s fatal smash in which a car flew off the EJ Whitten Bridge in Melbourne after an illegal freeway drag race.
Adem Arpaci, 21, of Delahey in the city’s northwest, was charged with one count each of culpable driving and dangerous driving causing death, after handing himself into police yesterday morning.
Police told an out of sessions court hearing Mr Arpaci was behind the wheel of a Silver Ford sedan that was allegedly drag racing a blue Holden ute on the Western Ring Rd, before it ploughed off an embankment near the EJ Whitten Bridge on January 27.
The double tragedy claimed the lives of driver Harley Churchill, 19, and his 18-year-old passenger Ivana Clonaridis.
Major Collision Unit detective sergeant Steve Hill said Mr Arpaci admitted he had been travelling 130km/h prior to the crash.
Det Sgt Hill said Mr Arpaci had entered the Western Ring Rd at the Pascoe Vale Rd entry and travelled to the Fullarton Rd overpass.
The blue ute then overtook Mr Arpaci after the last speed camera before the crash site, Det Sgt Hill told the hearing.
Det Sgt Hill said both cars accelerated and slowed before they arrived at the overpass.
The blue ute then lost control at 160km/h and ploughed off the overpass, the hearing was told.
“Investigators believe the accused aided and abetted the driver of the blue Holden ute in the death of the female passenger,” Det Sgt Hill said.
In his case for bail, Mr Arpaci told bail justice Alan MacConnell he lived at home with his parents and worked casually.
“Ever since it happened I have been different,” he said.
“I just sit in my room because it’s the one place I feel safe.”
Detectives from the major collision investigation unit earlier seized the silver Ford from Taras Avenue, Altona.
Mr Arpaci was bailed on strict conditions which ban him from driving a motor vehicle.
He is expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday February 8.
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