Samanvitha Dhareshwar, a 33-year-old Indian-origin woman who was eight months pregnant, tragically died after being struck by a car in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby on Friday, November 14. The incident occurred while she was walking with her husband and three-year-old son near a carpark on George Street.
Here's what we know about the circumstances surrounding this devastating event:
The Incident: A Kia Carnival slowed down to allow Dhareshwar and her family to cross near the entrance of a parking garage. At that moment, a speeding BMW, driven by 19-year-old Aaron Papazoglu, collided with the rear of the Kia. The impact propelled the Kia forward, hitting Dhareshwar.
Emergency Response and Aftermath: NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and provided treatment to Dhareshwar at the scene. She was then rushed to Westmead Hospital in critical condition. Despite the medical team's efforts, Dhareshwar and her unborn child could not be saved. Her husband and son were unharmed but witnessed the tragic event. The crash site was described by police as "very confronting" for first responders.
The Accused: Aaron Papazoglu, the 19-year-old driver of the BMW, was arrested at his home in Wahroonga on Saturday morning. He faces charges of dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, and causing the loss of a foetus. While police alleged Papazoglu was speeding, prosecutors are reportedly unsure what evidence supports that claim. Mandatory hospital testing indicated that Papazoglu was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and he had no prior criminal or driving offenses. He was denied bail, with Magistrate Ray Plibersek calling the crash an "absolutely tragic case".
The Victim: Samanvitha Dhareshwar was an IT systems analyst working for Alsco Uniforms. Originally from Karnataka, India, she and her husband, Vineet, had recently purchased land in Grantham Farm and submitted a development application for a two-story house. Dhareshwar was weeks away from giving birth to her second child. A neighbor described her as a "very outgoing, calm and polite person".
Legal Considerations: In 2022, New South Wales introduced "Zoe's Law," which allows for tougher penalties for crimes resulting in the death of an unborn child. Papazoglu is charged with causing the loss of a foetus.
The death of Samanvitha Dhareshwar and her unborn child has sparked grief and mourning in the community. A woman who rushed to Dhareshwar's aid in her final moments left a card at the scene, expressing sorrow for the tragedy. The incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the importance of road safety.
