A teenager accused of killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child in a crash in Sydney’s north on Friday night has been denied bail by a magistrate.
The victim — a 33-year-old woman — was treated at the scene on George Street at Hornsby, where paramedics were called about 8pm on Friday, before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical and unstable condition.
Neither she nor her unborn baby could be saved.
Aaron Papazoglu, 19, appeared in court via video link to face charges of dangerous driving occasioning death — drive manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death) and cause loss of fetus — death of pregnant woman.
Police have argued he ran through an orange light at “excessive speed” before causing another car to hit the victim.
Sergeant Candice Chapman said bail should be denied considering “the nature and seriousness of the matter” and that “custodial sentence is a likely outcome” in the case.
Sergeant Chapman told the court that if the accused were granted bail, police would be concerned about his “likely failure to appear” and the risk of “endangering the safety of the community”.
The car after the crash at Hornsby where emergency services were called on Friday night. (ABC News)
She also alleged Mr Papazoglu was speeding and intentionally ran a yellow light, saying that “this is a matter that wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment”.
Sergeant Chapman told the court the accused chose to proceed through an “orange light at excessive speed in a manner that is dangerous”.
Magistrate Ray Plibersek said there was no evidence for the speeding and that the police were asking the court to make an “inference”.
Mr Papazoglu’s lawyer Patrick Schmidt argued the Macquarie University student was a young man of good standing, with no criminal record and strong ties to the community.
“There was no alcohol or drugs involved, no street racing, no police pursuit,” he said.
The woman, 33, died despite the efforts of paramedics to save her and her unborn child. (ABC News)
He also countered the prosecution’s claims about Mr Papazoglu’s alleged negligence, saying “it wasn’t a prolonged intentional act.”
“This is by all terms of the word a tragic outcome to a series of unfortunate events that led to this sequence,” Mr Schmidt said.
Mr Papazoglu’s lawyer also provided statements from his mother, aunt and uncle, who all spoke of his good character.
In Parramatta Bail Court, Magistrate Plibersek said that after considering all submissions from the defence and prosecution, Mr Papazoglu’s bail should be denied due to the seriousness of the matter.
Flowers placed at the scene on Saturday morning. (ABC News)
Magistrate Plibersek said there had been a “terrible outcome for two families, not just the deceased mother”.
“My heart goes out to the family and the community for their loss,” he said.
“It’s a very serious allegation.
“I’ll be refusing bail and he’ll be remanded in custody.”
When asked by the magistrate if he had any questions, Mr Papazoglu answered, “I just really want to see my family.”
His next court appearance will be at Downing Centre Local Court on November 18.