Elise Hodder, Australian rising model killed after Connor Mathiasson high on cannabis and three times over the drink driving limit reverses into revelers leaving Melbourne rave party after police were called. Victim had just appeared in a six page NYC fashion spread.
An up and coming Australian model who was recently featured in a NYC fashion spread has died after she was hit by a reversing driver leaving a rave party in Melbourne after police were called to the venue over the weekend.
Elise Hodder, 24, from Clifton Hill, was killed along with another passenger injured when fellow raver, Connor Mathiasson, 23, of Sunbury sought to leave the rave party early Sunday morning.
At the time the up and coming model was leaving the venue only to be crushed by Mathiasson’s vehicle as he backed out of the car park at speed, and hitting 3 people.
The shattered father and friends of Elise Hodder, the young woman hit and killed by a car in Kooyong on Saturday night, have paid tribute to a beautiful, caring and supportive woman. @MimiRoseBecker #9News pic.twitter.com/F7FaLgyTKM
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) October 14, 2024
Reveller was three times over the drink drive limit
Along with the fatality, a second victim, a 26 year old female was taken to to Alfred Hospital with serious injuries. Both her ankles had to be surgically rebuilt, news.com.au reported.
A third person who was also hit escaped injury.
Police allege Mathiasson getting into his car when they arrived to break up the party in Kooyong after a noise compliant only to reverse into Elise and two other party goers.
Elise became trapped under the vehicle and died at the scene.
Mathiasson was charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, negligently causing serious injury and unlicensed driving.
Mathiasson is accused of having been drunk and high on cannabis when he got behind the wheel. A preliminary breath test indicated the man blowing 0.178, more than three times the legal BAC limit. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for fully licensed drivers in Victoria, and all other states and territories, is 0.05.
Elise Hodder rising Aussie model remembered
The tragedy comes after the Aussie model had recently appeared in a dedicated six page spread in the New York-based fashion publication Vanguard Magazine in August.
FiveTwenty Model Management, Elise’s modelling agency, released a statement on Monday saying she would ‘never be forgotten.’
‘Elise was such a delight to work with. She was very curious about the industry and gave it her all, always showing up with a bubbly, bright attitude,’ the model agency said.
‘Our condolences go out to her family and friends. Her presence and place in our hearts will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace beautiful girl.’
Responding to the tragedy, the victim’s parents, Pauline and Michael Hodder told Australia’s ABC that ‘Elise was a beautiful soul with a radiance that touched everybody.’
Appearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, the court was told that Mathiasson’s driver’s licence had expired in July.
The man’s father told the court that his son’s mother took her own life when he was 16 and that the pair were ‘very close.’
‘Unacceptable risk and danger to public safety,’
He agreed to supervise him if his son was granted bail but the prosecution said they would oppose bail on the grounds that he was driving under the influence of substances.
The prosecution countered, saying the accused was an ‘unacceptable risk and danger to public safety.’
Adding, ‘He made the decision to drive to a rave. He made the decision to enter his vehicle and drive away.’
The parent said he wasn’t aware his son was addicted to cannabis, and said he hadn’t seen him physically since Christmas.
According to the Herald Sun, Mathiasson’s barrister, George Balot, told the court his client was remorseful following the incident.
‘He wishes to express his profound heartfelt sympathy to the family of the deceased and the pedestrian in hospital,’ Mr Balot said.
‘I wish to pass to the family his deepest condolences during this difficult time.’
No winners
Outside court, the father told reporters that he felt for Ms Hodder’s family.
‘It’s devastating- absolutely devastating, I can’t, really and I don’t know what to say,’ the parent said.
A decision on Mr Mathiasson’s bail is expected on Tuesday. The reveller was remanded in custody.
Come Monday, scores attended a makeshift memorial where Elise had her life cut short. They had come to pay their respects to the young woman who had so much to live for and share.