The driver allegedly behind a crash that killed an elderly man in Perth is out on bail tonight, insisting he wasn’t aware he’d collided with the victim.
The 84-year-old was just metres from his home in Wembley when he was struck and left lying in the middle of the road.
Michael Hadwiger’s blue Holden Cruze was found by police at a house in Craigie yesterday afternoon.
Shortly after, officers smashed their way into the 44-year-old’s Glendalough flat to arrest him.
Police had been searching for him and his car after 84-year-old Francis Vella was hit at a pedestrian crossing on Herdsman Parade on Thursday night.
The grandfather, who was just metres from his Wembley home, was remembered fondly by his neighbours.
“He was just really sweet and I don’t know, he was a bit lonely, because he had a sister who used to live with him,” one neighbour told 9News.
The accused hit-run driver claims he didn’t know he’d collided with anyone.
The security guard’s lawyer told the court he believed someone had thrown something at his car and, perceiving danger, he kept going.
In opposing bail, the police prosecutors said investigators believed the accused had been drinking at a nearby tavern immediately before the crash, saying it was highly likely he was under the influence to such an extent that he was incapable of being in control of the vehicle.
Hadwiger was released on $10,000 bail.
He’ll have to report daily to police, can’t leave the state and will front court again in three weeks.
