Sydney hit-and-run driver blames cultural differences
A driver who sped off after almost killing a pedestrian in Sydney’s southwest has blamed cultural differences for failing to stop and help.
Indonesian man Paulus Rozali also claimed stopping after an accident was never mentioned in the NSW driver’s manual in an appeal against his sentence.
Rozali’s 68-year-old victim was left with bleeding to the brain, a fractured skull and fractured femur after being hit in Wiley Park.
"Yeah I'm sorry," Rozali said. "I feel sorry, yeah."
Rozali had his license disqualified for three years and was sentenced to 125 hours community service in May.
But he thought the sentence was too severe and appealed.
His argument was that stopping after a hitting someone isn't stated in the NSW driver's manual much to the exasperation of Judge Paul Conlon.
“It doesn’t have to be!” the judge yelled.
“It's basic common sense! When you hit someone, you stop and render assistance!"
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Rozali also claimed in Indonesia he would have been bashed by witnesses, had he pulled over.
The judge acknowledged Rozali was truly remorseful but said harsh penalties exist for drivers who don't stop and help.
Judge Conlon said the original sentence was actually far too lenient.
The appeal was dismissed, meaning Rozali will remain off the road until 2020.
