An eight-month-pregnant Indian-origin woman and her unborn baby were killed in a fatal crash in Sydney last Friday, according to the Daily Mail.
The 33-year-old victim has since been identified as Samanvitha Dhareshwar, an IT systems analyst, who had been out on an evening walk with her husband and their first child, a 3-year-old son, when the misfortune unravelled. The fatal incident took place near the Hornsby Nepalese, Indian and Asian Grocery.
Indian-origin woman dies in Sydney crash: What happened?
According to police statements, the horrifying accident blew up the small Indian-origin family’s life following a crash involving a Kia Carnival and a BMW. The former car’s driver is said to have slowed down at a train station carpark entrance to let Dhareshwar and her family cross safely. However, the car is then said to have been hit from behind by a BMW, which pushed the Kia forward, ultimately hitting Samanvitha.
Dhareshwar, who was just weeks away from welcoming her second child, was treated at the scene for a while. Given the extent of her injuries, she was then taken to Westmead hospital, where she and her unborn child were declared dead, as per the Daily Mail. Her husband and son remained unharmed, but witnessed the life-changing tragedy.
Who was Samanvitha Dhareshwar?
According to her LinkedIn profile, the 33-year-old woman worked as an IT systems analyst with Alsco Uniforms. Australian media reports have further disclosed that the deceased Indian-origin woman’s family had recently bought land in Grantham Farm. They reported submitted an application for a two-storey home to Blacktown City Council in September, as per the Daily Mail.
According to IndianLink.com, Dhareshwar was originally from Karnataka. Her neighbour, who lived in the same building, described her as a “very outgoing, calm and polite person.” The person also revealed that construction on the family’s new land started in September. “The family was very happy,” the neighbour added.
The individual also disclosed that they had met Samanvitha just two hours before the fatal accident. During their brief elevator conversation, she said that she was on her way to pick her husband up from the office, and that her son was “adamant to see his dad.”
The IndianLink report further divulged that only 20 days were left before Dhareshwar’s due date. Her parents were expected to fly to Australia for the same. Meanwhile, her mother-in-law, who had been staying with the couple for almost a year, was scheduled to go back to India this month.
Indian woman death case: What we know about the Sydney crash suspect
19-year-old Aaron Papazoglu was reportedly behind the white BMW’s wheel at the time of the accident. He was eventually arrested at a home in Wahroonga, and has been charged with three offences, including dangerous driving occasioning death and causing the loss of a foetus.
A mandator hospital testing indicated that Aaron was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the police. Officials also noted that he did not have any prior criminal of driving offences.
His bail has since been denied, with magistrate Ray Plibersek citing the seriousness of the charges. He also called out the “terrible outcome for two families.”