A Greek-Australian from Sydney has been in hospital for over three weeks after an alleged king hit in a road rage incident, and the alleged perpetrator has been refused bail after presenting to the court.

John Totsis, 47, was rushed to St George Hospital after sustaining significant injuries, including a fractured skull and brain bleed, and he remains there.

The incident took place at Peel St, Belmore on May 28 when Mr Totsis was involved in an altercation with Din Decevic, 34, a mobile crane operator, who was later charged with grievous bodily harm.

Detectives attended a unit in Sproule St, Lakemba and arrested Decevic about 9.30pm on Monday June 19. Magistrate Justice Glenn Walsh described the brutal alleged road rage attack as the ‘worst’ he has ever seen, and the alleged victim’s family says he may never be able to return to work as a bus driver.

Decevic applied for bail at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday June 22 where he appeared by videolink and his supporters, including his wife, friends and cousins, gathered in the courtroom. The court heard that the altercation was sparked by Decevic, in a Raptor, and Mr Totsis, in a Hyundai.

Police allege that the incident may have sparked by an incident occurring between Decevic and Mr Totsis at a nearby gym, Belmore Plus Fitness, before Mr Totsis made his way home between 7pm and 7.15pm. The father of two teenage sons stopped his Hyundai Getz near the corner of Peel and Bridge streets, Belmore and stepped out of his car, police will allege in court.

Police allege Mr Decevic parked his Ford Raptor utility behind Mr Totsis’ Hyundai and exited the vehicle then assaulted Mr Totsis, who fell to the ground, and then continued to assault him.Mr Totsis may never be able to return to his job as a bus driver due to brain seizures he has suffered since the attack, his sister Vicki Totsis said, adding that ‘he has no memory of’ the incident.

The police prosecutor told the court Mr Totsis lost consciousness, falling back and hitting his head on the road.
“(Decevic) grabbed him and punched him for a third time … the alleged victim was not able to defend himself,” he said.
Justice Walsh said while Mr Totsis remained motionless on the ground Decevic stepped back and was heard yelling “wake up, wake up”. He then began to panic and was heard to say, “the c***’s asleep the c***’s asleep”.

Justice Walsh said that Decevic allegedly lied to police about who was driving and told officers Mr Totsis allegedly had threatened to kill him and he was “crazy and on ice”. The incident took place on the two-year anniversary of Mr Totsis’ engagement to his fiancé, Liezl Rubillos, a teacher from the Philippines whom he has been with since 2020.

She said the pair had “simple plans” to celebrate the night, but that she began to worry after he was not returning her calls following work. “We greeted each other happy anniversary because he worked very early at that time so we couldn’t chat long but when he arrived home from work we were going to call and maybe celebrate,” she said.

Ms Rubillos has been unable to be with Mr Totsis as she is waiting for her visa in the Philippines, finding the entire ordeal very distressing. “I was shocked because he’s not a bad man. I didn’t think it would happen to him that someone would (allegedly) do that to him because he’s a good man,” she said.

“I was very shocked, and I couldn’t sleep because of what happened and I couldn’t do anything about it because I am far away from him.

“In almost our three years of the relationship, he’s sweet, caring and he’s a responsible dad to his two sons so I didn’t expect it to happen to him.”
Mr Totsis’ eldest son messaged Ms Rubillos to tell her that his father was in hospital, and has recovered enough for them to speak to one another.

“He’s recovering and I can talk to him now unlike the very first week I couldn’t talk to him because he was still weak at the time.
“He is trying to get better, he is very positive and he’s strong and brave,” she said.

Justice Walsh refused bail and the matter was adjourned to Burwood Local Court on August 16.