Mitch East, a 28-year-old lawyer from Sydney, has been identified as the victim of a suspected hit-and-run incident that occurred early Sunday morning on Fletcher Street in Tamarama. Police are currently searching for the driver of a white Subaru Outback believed to have been involved in the incident, which took place around 4 a.m.
Inspector Jason Hogan of the New South Wales Police spoke to Channel 7, urging the driver to come forward. "It’s a cowardly act to drive away after colliding with another human," Inspector Hogan stated. "They really need to attend their local police station before we knock on their door."
Authorities have obtained CCTV footage of the suspected vehicle and are actively canvassing the area for additional video evidence.
Mitch East was a valued member of the Sydney law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler, where he was known for his talent and popularity among colleagues. In a statement released by the firm, Managing Partner Henry Lanzer and Managing Sydney Partner Paul Rubenstein expressed their deep sorrow over Mitch’s death. "Mitch was a highly talented lawyer and a popular and valued member of the firm, whose loss will be deeply felt," the statement read. They also extended heartfelt condolences to Mitch’s parents, his partner, and his many friends.
Before his time at Arnold Bloch Leibler, Mr. East served as a senior advisor for the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch Terrorist Attack, a role he held in his home country. University of Otago Law Professor Andrew Geddis remembered Mitch as an exceptionally bright individual, noting that he had been offered scholarships to prestigious universities such as Harvard and Cambridge.
The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, with police appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the driver involved in the hit-and-run.