A man accused of killing a father in a fiery, high-speed crash while high on ice has been let out on bail against a magistrate’s wishes.
Magistrate Ross Maxted said his hands were tied on Thursday when he was forced to grant bail to Tomas Targownik.
The 33-year-old allegedly killed Sam Uthayanan, 49, after slamming into the back of his Mercedes with his Mazda sedan at 200km/h in Melbourne’s east last November.
Mr Uthayanan’s car exploded into flames on impact – killing the accountant instantly, Herald Sun reported.
Tomas Targownik (left) was granted bail on Thursday after allegedly killing Sam Uthayanan, 49
The 33-year-old allegedly killed Mr Uthayanan after slamming into the back of his Mercedes with his Mazda sedan at 200km/h in Melbourne’s east last November (pictured)
Mr Uthayanan’s (pictured) car exploded into flames on impact – killing the accountant instantly
Mr Maxted slammed the state government for failing to bring impending bail reform laws into effect sooner, allowing Mr Targownik to be released.
‘As parliament has not gazetted this to apply prior to July 1 … I’m obliged to apply the law as it is,’ he said in Melbourne Magistrates Court.
‘I’m very conscious of the anxiety in the community surrounding persons accused of serious offending and the Bail Act within the state of Victoria.’
State Parliament passed new laws in June last year – following the Bourke Street tragedy – making it harder for accused killer drivers to be granted bail.
The laws have not yet been enacted and must come into effect by July 1.
Current legislation dictates that prosecutors must prove the accused is an unacceptable risk to the public for them to be remanded in custody.
Mr Maxted said the prosecution failed to prove Mr Targownik was indeed a risk, as he had only minor speeding infractions to his name.
Magistrate Ross Maxted said his hands were tied on Thursday when he was forced to grant bail to Mr Targownik (centre)
Mr Maxted said the prosecution failed to prove Mr Targownik was indeed a risk, as he had only minor speeding infractions to his name before the crash (pictured)
Police described the crash scene (pictured) as one of the most horrific they had ever attended, court also heard
The court heard Mr Targownik was an intelligent man with a double degree, but was unemployed and suffers from a range of health disorders, The Age reported.
Police described the crash scene as one of the most horrific they had ever attended, court also heard.
Mr Targownik – who was hobbling on crutches – said outside court he is remorseful for the crash, but claims he has no recollection of it.
‘I just want to say the whole incident is a horrific tragedy and I’m very sorry to everyone involved,’ he told 7 News.
Several conditions were applied to his bail, including weekly drug testing, compliance with a drug rehabilitation program and a ban on driving.
He will reappear in court next month.
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