A Transperth bus driver who hit and killed 45-year-old father Praveen Matcha as he crossed the road outside RAC Arena last month has told a Perth court he will plead guilty and be sentenced next week.
The Indian-born man known only as Rajiv, 37, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday for the first time to face two charges of careless driving causing death, grievous bodily harm or bodily harm over Matcha’s death and injuries to a second person.
The Transperth driver was charged with two counts of careless driving after one man died and another person was injured while he was behind the wheel.Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt
Rajiv’s lawyer Katherine Dowling told the court her client was ready to be sentenced but understood prosecutors and the magistrate needed to see footage of the incident caught by the bus’ cameras.
The footage was described in court as “quite shocking”.
The bus was turning onto Milligan Street from Wellington Street around 6.15pm on June 20 when it hit Matcha, pinning him under the vehicle.
He died at the scene.
Friends of Matcha have raised almost $18,000 for his family.
Friends described him as the “light in every room, known for his infectious smile, laughter, and the way he always encouraged us to be more and achieve more.”
“Whether you’ve known him for 15 years, nine months or ten days, you know how deeply he cared for us,” they said.
“If you had the same privilege as me to work alongside him, to be motivated by him, to learn from him, or even became his friend, your life has been fortunate.”
Friends of Matcha, who was employed by Western Power at their Perth head office, have raised almost $18,000 for his family.
The incident occurred in front of many bystanders, including children, just after the start of a game between West Coast Fever and the Adelaide Thunderbirds at the venue.
The details surrounding injuries sustained by a second person are unclear.
The court heard Rajiv will enter official pleas of guilty to both charges on July 25, when he will also be sentenced.
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