Nineteen-year-old Aaron Papazoglu remains at the centre of a fatal crash investigation after a pregnant mother, Samanvitha Dhareshwar, and her unborn daughter died following a collision in Hornsby on November 14.
Police allege Papazoglu ran through an orange light at speed, rear-ending a stationary Kia Carnival that had stopped to allow the family to cross a carpark entrance. The impact pushed the vehicle into Dhareshwar.
Papazoglu, who had no prior criminal record or driving offences, was released on bail last week from Silverwater after his mother posted $50,000.
His lawyer Patrick Schmidt said the Macquarie University student was “a young man of good standing,” rejecting claims of negligence and arguing “it wasn’t a prolonged intentional act.”
He described the crash as “a tragic outcome to a series of unfortunate events that led to this sequence.” No alcohol or drugs were involved.
Papazoglu has not entered a plea and will return to court on January 13.
According to The Daily Telegraph, a witness gave an emotional first public account, describing the mother’s final moments.
He recalled Dhareshwar clutching her stomach and crying “Oh my baby, my baby” as he held her head until emergency services arrived.
“What a motherly soul… she was constantly worried about her unborn child rather than her own injury and pain,” he said.
Dhareshwar, who was eight months pregnant and due to give birth on December 15, later died in hospital along with her baby. Her husband Vineet and young son have since left their Hornsby home as relatives comfort the grieving family.
Papazoglu is charged with causing the deaths by negligent and dangerous driving and failing to stop at a red light.
Source: The Daily Telegraph.
