Son charged after father fatally struck by car at Sydney cemetery

Police have charged a man with negligent driving after his father was fatally struck by a car at a Sydney cemetery last year.

Investigators allege John Giannasca, 59, rolled his Honda Accord over his 86-year-old father Antonio after the elderly man fell in front of it at Rookwood Cemetery late last year.

Mr Giannasca, who was acquitted of his wife’s murder in 2012, told police the pair had been visiting his mother’s grave late on the morning of December 28 when the incident occurred.

He told police it was an accident.

He has been charged with negligent driving occasioning death and will face Burwood Local Court later this month.

Carmel Giannasca, 33, disappeared in January 2002, a year and a half after she married John Giannasca.

She already had a daughter from a previous marriage and the couple had a son.

She and Mr Giannasca had argued the night before her disappearance.

He has insisted the dispute was about money and a planned family holiday, however during the trial it was alleged the argument had been over sexual abuse allegations levelled at her husband’s father.

Antonio Giannasca was never charged with any offence.

His son was later acquitted of her murder and was cleared of the alternative charge of manslaughter.

Ms Giannasca's car was found in Newcastle almost two months after her disappearance, however no trace of her body has ever been located.

A coroner has since ruled the missing woman is deceased.