July 22nd 2024.
In a shocking turn of events, it has been reported that less than three weeks after leaving a cyclist to die, Peter Koutsogiannakis was responsible for yet another dangerous crash in Victoria. This time, he was driving a stolen Mazda on January 23, 2020, when he attempted to weave through a line of cars at a train boom-gate. Despite police's attempts to pull him over, Koutsogiannakis chose to speed off, even driving on the wrong side of the road.
The situation only escalated from there, as he entered a bus lane against a red light and collided with a Toyota sedan that was turning right before ultimately crashing into a pole. And in a cowardly move, he fled the scene of the accident, leaving behind a trail of destruction. These reckless actions were brought to light in Melbourne's County Court by Judge Frances Hogan as Koutsogiannakis was sentenced to at least five years in prison for a previous hit and run incident that resulted in a fatality.
It was on January 6, 2022, when Koutsogiannakis drove through a red light and struck cyclist Makaro Manapori, 58, as he was on his way to work in Hampton Park. The impact was so severe that Manapori was thrown 45 meters, and his mangled bike was found folded in half. The judge had previously described Manapori's fate as being "like roadkill" after Koutsogiannakis callously drove away and set fire to the stolen car used in the collision.
Judge Hogan did not mince her words as she addressed Koutsogiannakis' flagrant disregard for the law and the safety of others on the road. She stated that his repeated offenses and appalling driving record made it inevitable that he would eventually cause someone's death. She further noted that driving dangerously had become his way of life, and his criminal record spanning a decade showed a blatant disregard for road rules and the well-being of others.
According to Judge Hogan, Koutsogiannakis' self-indulgent and lawless lifestyle has made him a repeated menace to society. As a result, he was sentenced to up to seven years and 10 months in prison. However, he will be eligible for parole after serving five years and three months, having already spent over a year behind bars. Even in the face of such serious charges, Koutsogiannakis showed no remorse and continued to deny his involvement in the incident, despite turning himself in to the police.
It was also revealed that Koutsogiannakis' lawyer had contacted the police after photos of him fleeing the scene and setting a car on fire were released to the media. In a surprising turn of events, he told officers that he "couldn't live with himself" right before he was interviewed. However, during the trial, he maintained his innocence, claiming it was all a case of mistaken identity. But the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty of dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop at the scene, and failing to render assistance to the dying Manapori.
Throughout the court proceedings, Koutsogiannakis remained silent, while his supporters in the courtroom broke down in tears as the judge delivered his sentence. This news comes as a reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of following road rules. This story serves as a cautionary tale for all drivers to be responsible and considerate of others on the road. Let us all remember Makaro Manapori and the lives lost due to such careless actions.
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