URGENT UPDATE: A tragic incident unfolded in Hornsby, Sydney on November 16, 2025. Pregnant mother Samanvitha Dhareshwar, aged 33, was killed when she was struck by a car driven by Aaron Papazoglu, a 19-year-old P-plate driver, while walking with her husband and young son.
The devastating crash occurred around 8 PM as Dhareshwar, who was eight months pregnant, crossed George Street with her family. Authorities report that a Kia Carnival had stopped to allow them to cross when it was rear-ended by Papazoglu’s white BMW, propelling the Kia forward and fatally injuring Dhareshwar. Despite immediate medical attention, both she and her unborn child could not be saved at Westmead Hospital.
Papazoglu has been charged with three offences, including dangerous driving occasioning death and causing the loss of a foetus, and was denied bail during his court appearance. His lawyer argued that the collision was a tragic outcome of unforeseen circumstances, stating that his client was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was not racing.
The court learned that Papazoglu accelerated through an amber traffic light, leading to the crash. His driving record was described as “excellent,” but the magistrate noted the severe nature of the charges and the community’s grief. “It’s an absolutely tragic case,” Magistrate Ray Plibersek remarked, expressing condolences for the families involved.
Local residents have been deeply affected, with tributes piling up at the crash site. One heartfelt letter from a passerby who witnessed the crash read, “I pray for you and your little one that you are held with love as you leave this world.” The community continues to mourn the loss of a mother and her unborn child.
Papazoglu is scheduled to return to court for a mention on November 21, 2025, with a brief of evidence due by January 18, 2026. Law enforcement urges anyone with information about the incident to contact Hornsby Police or Crime Stoppers.
This tragic event raises awareness surrounding road safety and the implications of Zoe’s Law, which provides specific penalties for causing the loss of an unborn child during criminal acts. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the community remains in shock over this heartbreaking loss.
