Kiwi lawyer was lying on road when run over
New Zealander Mitch East, the lawyer found dead on a Sydney road, was lying on the street when he was allegedly run over early on March 17, a court has been told.
Rideshare driver Zisi Kokotatsios, 63, has been arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist after a crash causing death.
Parramatta bail court was told on Saturday that Kokotatsios was on his way to pick up a passenger when he allegedly ran over East, 28, who was on the road, ABC news in Australia reported. It was not clear why East was on the road.
East had been living in Sydney, but was originally from New Zealand. He studied at the University of Otago and received first class honours, before going on to complete a Master of Laws at Harvard Law School.
He had worked as a clerk in the Supreme Court and as an adviser to the Royal Commission into the March 2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch.
He was found dead on Fletcher St in the Sydney seaside suburb of Tamarama shortly after 4am on Sunday, March 17.
CCTV from a neighbour showed that the car driven by Kokotatsios “lifted up” when it ran over the man, before slowing down briefly and then driving off, the bail court heard.
The prosecutor told the court it was a strong case, and there was “no doubt the occupant knew he struck something”.
But defence lawyer Mohamad Sakr said Kokotatsios continued picking up passengers after the incident, and there was no evidence he knew he had run over a person, ABC reported.
It would be alleged Kokotatsios was using his phone at the time of the crash, but Sakr told the court the phone was mounted on the dashboard and not being used illegally.
The magistrate said the prosecution “has difficulties” with its case, and that Kokotatsios “deserved bail”. He was granted bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on May 9.