A 33-year-old man has faced court charged with culpable driving causing death after a pedestrian was struck and killed outside the Supanova Comic Con & Gaming convention at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday evening.
Awer Dau, from Werribee, appeared via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Sunday and made no application for bail. The court heard that a 20-year-old man from Keysborough died at the scene, while another 20-year-old man suffered significant lower body injuries and remains in a stable condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. A third pedestrian, also aged 20, was taken to hospital for observation after being unharmed in the collision.
The prosecution requested 16 weeks to prepare a toxicology report, mechanical analysis, collision reconstruction, expert opinions, CCTV review, mobile phone analysis, and a driver impairment report. Dau is scheduled to return to court on September 16 for a committal mention.
On Sunday, the Supanova convention began with a minute's silence for the victims. Organisers expressed deep sadness and distress in a statement, offering thoughts and prayers to those affected. Founder Daniel Zachariou said the community was waiting for more information and hoped the injured man would recover.
Premier Jacinta Allan offered condolences, acknowledging the distress caused to emergency services and witnesses. The incident occurred on Langs Road, Ascot Vale, around 5pm on Saturday.
