Indian-origin pregnant woman and unborn baby killed in BMW crash in Sydney, teen driver charged

An Indian-origin woman, eight months pregnant, was killed along with her unborn child after a BMW crash in Sydney. A 19-year-old driver has been charged.

Updated on: Nov 18, 2025, 22:53:53 IST

By Bhavya Sukheja

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A 33-year-old Indian-origin woman, who was 8 months pregnant, died along with her unborn child after being struck by a car in Sydney’s Hornsby suburb, Australian authorities said, as per a report by 9 News.

Dhareshwar was just weeks away from giving birth to her second child. (Instagram/@indiansinsydney)

The victim, Samanvitha Dhareshwar, was walking with her husband and their 3-year-old son on Friday when the fatal crash occurred. She was just weeks away from giving birth to her second child.

According to a report by 9 News, the New South Wales Police said that a Kia Carnival had slowed down to allow the family to cross the footpath. At that moment, a BMW sedan driven by 19-year-old Aaron Papazoglu allegedly collided with the Kia, causing it to surge forward and hit Dhareshwar with force.

Emergency services arrived promptly, and paramedics treated her at the scene before she was rushed to Westmead Hospital. But despite efforts, both Dhareshwar and her unborn baby could not be saved.

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner David Driver described the crash as “very confronting” for first responders. “It’s particularly tragic when people pass away and indeed when there’s children involved,” Driver said, adding, “This is a terrible, terrible story.”

(Also Read: 18-year-old Indian-origin student dies of cardiac arrest during Diwali celebrations in Dubai)

Police investigation ongoing

Papazoglu was taken to the hospital for mandatory testing and later released. After police reviewed dashcam footage of the incident, officers arrested him shortly after in Wahroonga.

The 19-year-old was taken to Hornsby Police Station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving (occasioning death) and causing loss of foetus - death of a pregnant woman, according to reports.

The 48-year-old man driving the Kia Carnival was unharmed. Police investigations into the crash are ongoing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bhavya Sukheja
Bhavya Sukheja is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 6 years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in covering stories that reflect everyday human experiences, with a focus on viral videos, social media trends, and human-interest features that inform readers while sparking meaningful conversations. She loves chasing page views and finding stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings. Known for her strong news sense, Bhavya has a keen ability to spot emerging trends and craft angles that transform viral moments into impactful narratives. Her coverage spans pop culture, entertainment, global affairs, and the internet’s most talked-about topics, helping readers better understand the context behind what is trending online. Before joining Hindustan Times, Bhavya worked with Republic World and NDTV, where she developed her skills in real-time reporting and digital storytelling. Working in fast-paced newsrooms helped her build an editorial approach that prioritises accuracy, clarity, and audience engagement. Bhavya is driven by a curiosity about how people communicate and connect in the digital age. She is particularly interested in stories that highlight cultural shifts, shared emotions, and the evolving nature of online conversations. When she is not tracking trends or producing stories, Bhavya enjoys unplugging and spending time with her cat.Read More

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