Man is arrested over the alleged hit-and-run death of a man in his 70s after he steps off plane at airport
A man has been arrested shortly after disembarking from a plane at Sydney Airport after his grandfather was killed in an alleged hit-and-run.
Damodor Shrestha, 79, was struck and killed on Abell Road in Melonba, near Blacktown in Sydney’s west, sometime after 11.15pm on Sunday, June 30.
The grandfather, who was probably hit from behind by the driver of a purple coupe, was not noticed by several passing cars after the incident.
A 32-year-old man was arrested by police at around 11.30am on Wednesday as he returned to Australia on an international flight.
Both NSW Police and the Australian Border Force (ABF) were present at Sydney Airport.
The man was charged with failing to stop and render assistance after a fatal collision, dangerous driving resulting in death, careless driving resulting in death and failing to provide information to police.
He was remanded to appear in Downing Centre Court on July 11.
The arrest comes after Ms Shrestha’s daughter Sagun described him as a “loving father, husband and inspiration to his grandchildren”.
Damodor Shrestha, 79, (pictured) was killed in a suspected hit-and-run on June 30
Police have released images of the purple coupe (pictured) believed to have been involved in the incident
She called the 79-year-old’s death “absolutely devastating,” 9News reports.
Mr. Shresha died a few hours after his daughter’s 25th wedding anniversary. His family was shocked and forced the driver to turn himself in.
On July 1, police issued a public appeal for information and released images of the compartment in the hope that witnesses would come forward.
Detective Inspector Michael Walsh called the alleged collision a “brazen act”.
‘[The vehicle is] “The front end is probably damaged, especially the headlight and windshield,” he said.
Passing motorists (filmed on CCTV rendering assistance) finally spotted the grandfather lying on the side of the road and called emergency services.
The section of the street where Mr Shrestha died has no sidewalk, forcing residents to walk on the road.
Bankstown City Council has confirmed that construction will begin on Abell Road after residents complained about the lack of footpaths.
According to local resident Karan Nagir, the poor infrastructure and roads in the area where the new houses are being built are the cause.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.