A retired priest has been remembered by friends and parishioners as a gentleman after he was hit and killed by a P-plate driver in Sydney’s south-west.
Father Peter Neville was on his evening walk on Sunday night in Cecil Hills when a Corolla hatchback mounted the footpath and hit him.
The 80-year-old died on the way to Liverpool Hospital.
The driver, identified by 7 News as 18-year-old Peter Radinovic, and his female passenger were both uninjured.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has paid tribute to to Father Peter Neville. ‘We also offer our prayers to the young man involved in the incident, and his family, at this difficult time,’ its states.
He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.
He was bailed to appear in Liverpool Local Court on February 14.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney paid tribute to to Father Neville.
Ordained in 1962, Father Neville’s first appointment as assistant priest at East Granville.
He then served at Camperdown, Balgowlah, Ashbury, Lane Cove, Enfield, Dulwich Hill and Pymble.
His first appointment as a parish priest was at Bossley Park in 1980 and Georges Hall from 1995 until his retirement to lesser duties in 2007.
Father Peter Neville was on his evening walk on Sunday night in Cecil Hills when a Corolla hatchback mounted the footpath and hit the 80-year-old.
‘We extend our prayers and our deep sympathy to members of Father Neville’s family,’ Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said in a statement on its website.
‘We also offer our prayers to the young man involved in the incident, and his family, at this difficult time.’
Floral tributes were laid at the crash site while, online, the local community is mourning the death of the religious leader.
‘He was the priest I knew and respected growing up,’ one person said.
‘You will be missed by many and never forgotten,’ another said.
‘Love you – always and forever.’
Father Peter Neville, 80, served as a parish priest in Sydney’s south west until his retirement to lesser duties in 2007.
Former parishioner Megan Ilacqua told 9 News her friend had been loved by ‘many, many people’.
‘He was a gentleman – intelligent, loving, caring,’ she said.
‘He dedicated his life to the church and the parish.’
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