Anthony Costanzo, 35, was sentenced to five years behind bars for manslaughter by criminal negligence, but he could be released from custody in just under two years.
The shocking incident occurred in September 2023 when Costanzo fatally struck 76-year-old Peter Row in Melbourne’s east.
A Bizarre Chain of Events Led to the Tragic Incident
It all started when Row followed Costanzo and then drove into his cousin after a night-shift worker called him to report a suspicious incident at Hansen Technologies car park.
Costanzo, who lived in an apartment opposite the car park, manipulated the site’s boom gates to let his truck inside.
Row arrived and stopped behind Costanzo’s truck, and when he drove out of the car park, Row followed him, calling triple zero to report what he believed was an attempted burglary.
A Violent Confrontation Ensued
Costanzo drove to his mother’s home, where a group of men were gathered on the street.
One of the men approached Row and asked, “What the f—- are you going to do?”
Row drove into the man, who was Costanzo’s cousin, and then drove off.
Costanzo pursued him in the truck without lights turned on, eventually rounding a bend and driving into Row, who had stopped 400m from a corner with his car headlights on.
Justice Rita Incerti’s Verdict
Although Costanzo never intended to kill Row, Justice Incerti told him he never should have begun the pursuit in the first place.
“Nothing good was ever going to come of your conduct,” Justice Incerti said.
Justice Incerti described Costanzo’s actions after Row’s death as callous, noting he fled without calling for help and lied to police about his involvement.
Despite this, the judge said Costanzo’s subsequent plea indicated a degree of remorse.
Costanzo was jailed for five years with a non-parole period of three years and disqualified from driving for 24 months.