The rideshare driver charged with a raft of offences over the deadly crash that killed promising young lawyer Mitch East last weekend has been granted bail.
Former real estate worker and current rideshare driver Zisi Koktatsios, 63, is accused of being behind a suspected hit-and-run that killed 28-year-old New Zealand-born East in Tamarama last Sunday.
He was charged yesterday with a number of driving offences, including failing to stop and assist after the crash, dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, and using a mobile phone when not permitted.
Today, he was silent outside court but issued an apology to East’s family through his lawyer.
“He apologises for the situation,” lawyer Mohamad Sakr said.
“He makes no admissions at this stage and I think today’s question was whether he is a risk to the community – and that assessment was made that he is not a risk.”
Police allege Kokotatsios was on his way to pick up a client and take them to the airport at 4am last Sunday.
It’s alleged he was on his phone when he ran over the lawyer, who was already lying on the road.
“An audible crash sound could be heard… the vehicle slowed before taking off… if he had stopped he wouldve seen a person lying there dying,” the prosecution said.
Kokotatsios’ lawyer didn’t deny his client knew he hit something but said he would have stopped had he known he had hit a person.
“He continued his working obligations… had he known he had hit a person he would’ve stopped and rendered aid and assisted the young man,” Sakr said.
The defence today told the court there are a number of issues in the police case against Kokotatsios, including no substantial proof he was actually using his mobile phone illegally, saying it was held in a permitted holster.
The 63-year-old was granted bail and will front court again in May.
