A rideshare driver accused of hitting a young lawyer and leaving him to die on a Sydney street has been granted bail following a brief court appearance.
Zisi Kokotatsios, 63, faced Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday after he was held in overnight custody by police, charged in relation to the death of Mitch East, 28, in the early hours of Sunday.
Mr East was found critically injured in beachside Tamarama, in the city’s east.
Police and paramedics were called to Fletcher St in the suburb about 4am but he was pronounced dead at the scene after unsuccessful attempts to revive him.
Kokotatsios was arrested by police at Granville on Friday.
He is charged with failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death, dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and driving while using a mobile phone.
He has been ordered to report to Bankstown Police Station daily, surrender his passport and not to enter or go within 500 metres of any international airport or other point of departure from Australia.
Mr East worked at Sydney law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler after beginning his legal career in his native New Zealand.
He graduated from Harvard Law School in 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile.
An email to Arnold Bloch Leibler staff described Mr East as a highly talented lawyer and a popular and valued member of the firm, whose loss would be deeply felt.
“The partners expressed heartfelt condolences to Mitch’s parents, his partner and many close friends, both within and outside of (the firm),” a spokeswoman for the firm said after employees were told the news of his death on Monday.
Kokotatsios will next appear before Sydney’s Downing Centre Court on May 9.
Source: AAP