A young lawyer has been identified as the man killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Mitch East, 28, who studied at Harvard Law School, was found seriously injured in the head and chest by a passerby in Fletcher Street, Tamarama, shortly after 4am on Sunday.
Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics, he died instantly.
Mr. East, who grew up in New Zealand, had just been dropped off on the street by an Uber driver moments before he was struck, according to the Today’s telegraph.
Mr East studied law in his home country, securing notable positions as a senior advisor to the Royal Commission into the Christchurch Terrorist Attack and as a lawyer with major national law firm Meredith Connell.
He moved to Australia in mid-2022 to work for his current employer, major company Arnold Bloch Leibler.
A spokesperson for Arnold Bloch Leibler told Daily Mail Australia that all staff were informed of the tragedy by email on Monday morning.
Lawyer Mitch East (pictured) was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Sydney’s east in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police are searching for the driver of a white Subaru Outback which was spotted on CCTV driving on Fletcher Street at the time of the crash.
Mr East is remembered as a ‘very talented’ and ‘popular’ lawyer
“(In the email) Arnold Bloch Leibler Managing Partner Henry Lanzer and Sydney Managing Partner Paul Rubenstein paid tribute to Mitch, describing him as a very talented lawyer and a popular and valued member of the firm , whose loss will be deeply felt,” the spokesperson said. said.
“The partners expressed their sincere condolences to Mitch’s parents, his partner and many close friends, both within and outside of Arnold Bloch Leibler.”
It is understood that some of Mr East’s relatives were in Sydney at the time of the tragedy and were quickly informed of his death.
It comes as police revealed they were searching for the driver of a white Subaru Outback which was spotted in the area on CCTV around the same time as the crash.
Appearing on Sunrise on Monday, NSW Police Inspector Jason Hogan urged the driver to come forward.
“It’s a cowardly act to leave after hitting another human being,” he said.
“They really need to go to their local police station before we knock on their door.”
Inspector Hogan would not confirm whether detectives believed the driver was local, but said police were currently following “all lines of inquiry” as to where the person might live.
Officers are pictured processing the crime scene in Tamarama on Sunday
Mr East was educated at Harvard Law School and moved to Australia from New Zealand for his career in law.
As part of the investigation, Inspector Hogan said officers were canvassing local areas, businesses and transport companies to obtain additional footage which could identify more clues.
Residents reported hearing a car alarm going off and a loud bang at the time of the crash.
Deputy Superintendent Adam Solah said officers had contacted the man’s family.
“The family is obviously very upset and distraught, and our hearts go out to them as we have to hear such difficult news,” he said.
Police are also appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage who may be able to help come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website.
