P-plater accused of fatal Hornsby crash released on conditional bail
The young driver accused of causing a fatal traffic crash that killed a mum-to-be smiled as he was released on bail to live with his family at their north shore home.
The young driver who allegedly caused a traffic crash that killed a mother-to-be in Sydney’s northwest has been released on bail to live with his family, just a week after the horrific incident.
Samanvitha Dhareshwar, 33, and her unborn child were killed in an accident outside a carpark on George St, Hornsby last Friday night.
Police said a Kia Carnival slowed to let Ms Dhareshwar and her family cross the footpath.
It’s alleged that a BMW sedan, driven by Aaron Papazoglu, 19, collided with the Kia, causing it to move forward and fatally strike Ms Dhareshwar.
Mr Papazoglu’s barrister, Allan Goldsworthy, told Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Friday morning his client wished to return to his employment at a childcare centre and to his studies where he has upcoming university exams.
He appeared on screen via AVL sporting prison greens, and waved to his family who sat in the front row of court in support.
He was granted conditional bail.
Images from outside Silverwater Correctional Facility showed Mr Papazoglu smiling as he left custody on Friday, accompanied by his family.
As part of his bail conditions, the 19-year-old is to report to police weekly, to reside at his Wahroonga home, to pay a $50,000 surety to the court, and is not to contact any Crown witnesses in the case.
His licence has also been suspended.
Mr Papazoglu faces charges of dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and causing the loss of a foetus – death of a pregnant woman.
He has not entered any pleas.
Magistrate Scott Nash said while it was a “serious matter”, and the facts were “distressing”, he did not deem the risks of bail unacceptable.
The court was told Mr Papazoglu had no prior criminal history, is of good character, and has strong community ties.
Outside court Mr Kalpage told an awaiting media scrum the family were “doing well”, but added he wouldn’t make further comment given the case had “a long way to go”.
He will return to court on January 13.
Originally published as P-plater accused of fatal Hornsby crash released on conditional bail
