Hornsby Carpark Tragedy Claims Pregnant Woman’s Life After BMW Rear-End Collision
In Hornsby, a devastating sequence of events unfolded when Aaron Papazoglu, a 19-year-old P-plate driver, allegedly caused a violent rear-end crash that resulted in the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. The incident occurred near a car park off George Street, where the woman was walking with her husband and their three-year-old son during what should have been a quiet and ordinary evening.
Police report that the family was crossing the roadway when a Kia Carnival slowed down to give them safe passage. At that moment, a white BMW driven by Papazoglu reportedly struck the Kia with significant force. The impact pushed the Kia forward and into the woman, leaving her with critical injuries that emergency responders described as catastrophic. Her husband and young child witnessed the entire crash, adding an immeasurable emotional toll to an already heartbreaking event.
Paramedics treated the woman on the roadway before rushing her to Westmead Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she later died, and her unborn baby could not be saved. Authorities confirmed that she had been eight months pregnant at the time of the collision. The loss has been described as “devastating beyond words,” and officers on the scene were visibly shaken by the circumstances.
Both drivers involved—the 48-year-old man behind the wheel of the Kia and the teen driving the BMW—were unharmed physically but taken to Hornsby Hospital for mandatory testing. Police later located Papazoglu at a home in Wahroonga just after midnight and placed him under arrest. After his arrest, investigators formally charged him with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, and causing the loss of a foetus—charges that reflect the gravity of the tragedy and the profound impact on the young family.
Assistant Commissioner David Driver publicly acknowledged the emotional weight of the case, calling it a “terrible, terrible story” and emphasizing how difficult the scene had been for both first responders and witnesses. He noted that pedestrian-related incidents of this type are among the most confronting situations officers face, especially when children are present or when lives are lost in such a sudden and violent manner.
The Crash Investigation Unit has taken over the case and is reconstructing the events leading up to the collision. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, vehicle data, and witness accounts to determine the precise cause of the impact. Police have also appealed to members of the public who were in the area around the time of the crash, specifically asking for dashcam, security, or mobile phone footage that may help clarify the moments before the crash occurred.
As the investigation continues, the community of Hornsby has expressed shock and sympathy for the victim’s grieving family. What began as a simple family walk ended in an unimaginable loss, leaving a town searching for answers and hoping for justice in the wake of an event that has already changed multiple lives forever.