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A childcare worker responsible for a tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of a pregnant woman and her unborn child has been released on bail. This decision follows the acknowledgment that the crash stemmed from a “singular error.”
The incident took place on November 14 in northern Sydney, where 33-year-old Samanvidha Dhareshwar was walking with her husband and a child. They were struck by a station wagon in Hornsby, a collision initiated when a luxury sedan, driven by a 19-year-old P-plater, collided with the wagon.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Dhareshwar and her unborn child, who was due in December, tragically could not be saved. The devastating loss has left a profound impact on the community.
Today, Aaron Papazoglu, the driver of the sedan, made a successful second attempt to secure bail at the Downing Centre Local Court. This decision comes after an earlier bail application was denied on Sunday.
Aaron Papazoglu made a second bid for bail at Downing Centre Local Court today after his first application was rejected on Sunday.
The university student, who has no previous criminal or driving offences, is accused of speeding up through an intersection when the traffic light changed to yellow, the first bail hearing was told.
Defence barrister Allan Goldsworthy today pressed for the end to the teenager’s seven-night stint in custody, saying there was nothing to show he had any criminal proclivity.
“This case boils down to a singular error on a roadway … albeit with tragic consequences,” he said.
Papazoglu has been charged with dangerous driving and negligent driving, both occasioning death, as well as causing the death of a fetus through the death of a pregnant woman.
A fourth charge, failing to stop at a red light, was added before today’s hearing.
Goldsworthy said the teen was demonstrably of good character and had been self-funding tens of thousands of dollars for his university degree by working at a childcare centre.
His family, including his single mum, were willing to put up their entire savings of $50,000 as surety to ensure Papazoglu attended court, the barrister said.
Family members nodded along, looking concerned in court while these submissions were made.
The police prosecutor said it was up to the court to decide whether bail conditions could mitigate any risk the 19-year-old would pose to the community.
Magistrate Scott Nash ordered the teen be released, finding that sufficient conditions could be put in place.
Papazoglu has been ordered to reside at an apartment in Wahroonga and to report to police once weekly.
He is not to contact any crown witnesses and is forbidden from being in the driver’s seat of any vehicle.
He will not be required to attend when his matter next comes before court on January 13.