Driver granted bail over death of model at Melbourne park rave
A driver accused of killing a young model at a Melbourne rave has broken down in tears after a magistrate granted him bail.
Connor Mathiasson, 23, is accused of being unlicensed, drunk and under the influence of cannabis when he got behind the wheel at an illegal rave in Kooyong, hitting and killing 24-year-old Elise Hodder around 1am on Sunday.
A second woman, aged 26, was taken to hospital with serious injuries to her lower body and has needed surgery to rebuild both her ankles.
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Elise Hodder has been remembered as a beautiful and caring person. Nine
A 25-year-old man was also hit but was not injured.
Mathiasson was emotional in Melbourne Magistrate's Court today as the magistrate announced he would be bailed to his father's home after spending two nights in jail.
His father Adrian paid a $100,000 surety to secure his son's freedom, with Magistrate Donna Bakos praising his willingness to help his son.
It was Mathiasson's first time in custody and he does not have any relevant prior criminal history.
But the court heard he's been struggling with undiagnosed mental health issues and has used cannabis to self-medicate since the death of his mother.
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Mathiasson did not address media as he left court today. Nine
The 23-year-old broke down crying when the magistrate mentioned his late mother, who took her life after her own struggles with mental health.
The magistrate granted Mathiasson bail on the condition he surrender his passport and remain in Victoria with his family in Portarlington.
He must also report to his local police station in Geelong before his next court date later this month.
As he left court, Mathiasson did not address media questions and covered his face with a jumper.
"Sorry guys. This is too traumatic for everyone. We have no comment," a loved one said.
His defence lawyer George Balot spoke on the 23-year-old's behalf, taking the opportunity to "remind the community of the presumption of innocence".
"He reiterates his deepest condolences to the Hodder family," Balot said.
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