A Sydney aged care community is grappling with grief following the tragic death of 70-year-old Boris Marusic, a cherished resident of Whiddon Easton Park, who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run incident on June 17, 2025.
In a significant development, NSW Police have arrested and charged a 25-year-old disqualified driver in connection with the incident, bringing some hope for justice to a devastated community.
Boris Marusic, a beloved figure at the Glenfield facility, was on his daily walk along Canterbury Road, south of Liverpool, when he was struck by a silver dual-cab ute just after 4:00 pm. Staff members, nearing the end of their shift, witnessed the horrific event and rushed to his aid alongside neighbours.
“Paramedics and police were there to help the old man who was lying on the street,” said witness Surez Mainali. Despite their efforts to administer first aid, Boris was transported to Liverpool Hospital under police escort, where he tragically passed away later that evening.
The driver of the ute allegedly failed to stop after the collision, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak. Boris, who had lived at Whiddon Easton Park for four years, was a vital part of the community, known for his daily routines of feeding birds and purchasing lottery tickets from the local newsagent.
“He was a beloved resident, a part of our community, involved in a lot of activities,” said Chris Mamarelis, CEO of Whiddon Aged Care. “He was known and part of the fabric of what we do here. He is sorely going to be missed.”
Following an intensive investigation, NSW Police executed a search warrant at a home on Kokoda Place in Glenfield at around 1:00 pm on June 18, 2025. A silver dual-cab ute was seized, and a 25-year-old man was arrested.
He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with negligent driving occasioning death, failing to stop and assist after a fatal crash, and driving while disqualified.
The arrest has brought a measure of relief to the community, though it does little to ease the pain of Boris’s loss.
The incident has left staff, residents, and neighbours shattered. Mamarelis described the profound impact on the facility, noting the deep sense of loss felt by all who knew Boris.
“It happened towards the end of the shift for many of the team members who were going home and witnessed what occurred,” he said, reflecting on the traumatic scene that unfolded.
Police are continuing their investigation, and the charged individual is expected to face court proceedings.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
