A teenage driver, involved in a devastating collision that resulted in the death of a woman and her unborn child, will remain in custody. The incident has drawn significant attention due to the tragic loss of life.

Nineteen-year-old Aaron Papazoglu, a P-plate driver, was operating a BMW on the fateful Friday evening when it collided with a Kia station wagon. The force of the impact caused the second vehicle to strike a 33-year-old woman who was eight months pregnant.

Emergency medical teams rushed to the scene in Hornsby, located in Sydney’s north-west, and promptly transported the woman to the hospital. Tragically, despite their efforts, both the woman and her baby could not be saved.

During a court appearance at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday, Papazoglu’s legal representative, Patrick Schmidt, revealed that his client, who has no previous criminal or driving record, accelerated through an intersection as the traffic light turned orange.

Authorities suspect that a chain reaction occurred when the BMW hit another car from behind, propelling it into the path of the woman. The investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the crash continues as the community mourns the heartbreaking loss.

Papazoglu is facing three charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and causing the loss of a foetus.

Applying for bail, Schmidt said the Kia station wagon had stopped to let the pedestrians cross the road and Papazoglu would have been expecting the car to have completed its turn before he collided with it.

The teenager had not been using any drugs or alcohol, was not street racing and had not run a red light, he said.

“This wasn’t a prolonged, intentional act. This is … a tragic outcome to a series of unfortunate events,” Schmidt said.

Police allege Papazoglu was speeding, although prosecutors were unsure what evidence supported that claim.

Papazoglu, who is studying a business degree at university, appeared in court via video link from a police holding cell, wearing a hooded jumper.

He sat silently with his head down as Magistrate Ray Plibersek read the facts about the case.

His lawyer presented character references to the court, including from his mother, aunt, uncle and his employer at an after-school care centre.

Plibersek noted Papazoglu’s “excellent” driving record and said he seemed to be a “young man of good standing” but knocked back his bail application due to the seriousness of the charges.

“It’s an absolutely tragic case,” he said.

“It’s a terrible outcome for two families … the community’s heart goes out to (the victim’s) family for the tragic loss.”

Police had opposed bail due to the seriousness of the matter and said a prison sentence was likely if Papazoglu was convicted.

Papazoglu’s matter will return to court on Tuesday for a mention, with a brief of evidence due by January 18.

The magistrate asked Papazoglu if he understood what had happened in court.

“I just really want to see my family,” Papazoglu replied.