Man arrested over alleged hit-and-run that left 70-year-old man dead after he got off plane at airport

A man has been arrested shortly after disembarking from a plane at Sydney Airport over an alleged hit-and-run crash that killed his grandfather.

Damodor Shrestha, 79, was fatally struck by a vehicle on Abell Road in Melonba, near Blacktown in Sydney’s west, sometime after 11.15pm on Sunday, June 30.

The grandfather, who was probably hit from behind by the driver of a purple coupe, was not noticed on the road by several passing cars.

A 32-year-old man was arrested by police at around 11.30am on Wednesday as he returned to Australia on an international flight.

Both NSW Police and the Australian Border Force (ABF) were present at Sydney Airport.

The man was charged with failing to stop and render assistance after a fatal collision, dangerous driving resulting in death, careless driving resulting in death and failing to provide information to police.

He was remanded to appear in Downing Centre Court on July 11.

Mr Shrestha’s daughter Sagun described him as a ‘loving father, husband and inspiration to his grandchildren’.

Damodor Shrestha, 79, (pictured) was killed in a suspected hit-and-run on June 30

Police have released images of the purple coupe (pictured) believed to have been involved in the incident

She called the 79-year-old’s death “absolutely devastating,” 9News reports.

Mr. Shresha died just hours after his daughter’s 25th wedding anniversary. His family was shocked and forced the driver to turn himself in.

On July 1, police issued a public appeal for information and released images of the compartment in the hope that witnesses would come forward.

Detective Inspector Michael Walsh called the alleged collision a “brazen act”.

‘[The vehicle is] “The front end is probably damaged, especially the headlight and windshield,” he said.

Passing motorists (filmed on CCTV rendering assistance) finally spotted the grandfather lying on the side of the road and called emergency services.

The section of the street where Mr Shrestha died has no sidewalk, forcing residents to walk on the road.

Bankstown City Council has confirmed that work will begin on a footpath on Abell Road after residents complained.

According to local resident Karan Nagir, the poor infrastructure and roads in the area where the new houses are being built are the cause.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.