A motorcyclist who died in a crash in Sydney’s northwest has since been identified as an off-duty police officer who was expecting his first child.
NSW Police Constable Aaron Vidal, 28, died on Thursday afternoon after being struck by a ute.
Police allege that the driver of the ute ran a red light at an intersection.
Vidal leaves behind a pregnant fiance.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said that Vidal has been recognised within the force for his commitment to protecting the community.
“On two occasions, he had been formally recognised for good police work by members of the community, which shows that he was held in high regard by not only his peers, but the community he served,” Mr Fuller said in the statement on Friday.
Police deputy commissioner Jeff Loy said that Vidal worked alongside his father David, a duty officer, at the Day Street police station in Sydney’s CBD.
“He was a man of service – he was a member of the armed forces before he joined the police force and really, a 28-year-old young man on the journey of life,” Mr Loy said.
“There’s a lot of people around that young lady [constable Vidal’s fiancee] today, also his father, and he has five other siblings – so it’s a big family.
“Police deal with tragedy and trauma but when we lose a young officer in really such a wasteful way in some respects … it really hits us in the heart.”
The ute driver who allegedly struck Vidal’s motorcycle is set to appear in Blacktown Local Court on Friday, charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.
Photo credits: NSW Police
