Comic convention attendee who was killed after unlicensed driver allegedly mounted the sidewalk had been planning overseas trip

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 15:17, 20 April 2026 | Updated: 15:24, 20 April 2026 A young man killed in a horror collision outside a comic convention has been remembered as a 'well-mannered, easygoing, social gentleman'. Volkan Aksoy, 20, was one of three pedestrians struck by a car outside the Supanova comic convention at Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday. He tragically died at the scene while another man, also aged in his 20s, was hospitalised with serious injuries to his lower body. The third pedestrian was taken to hospital and treated for 'trauma'. Mr Aksoy's family and friends have been left reeling from the sudden nature of his death. The 20-year-old was a popular worker at Schnitz Parkmore, where he'd been employed since he was 17, and was excited to be going on a holiday in Japan with close friends from high school later this year. Hasha Kong, a friend and colleague from Schnitz, described Mr Aksoy as 'smart, intelligent and so thoughtful'. 'He had such a great sense of humour, he just knows when to lighten up the mood. I cannot stop saying how much he was just such a good friend to all of us,' she said, reported The Age. Volkan Aksoy (above) died after being struck by a car outside Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday evening Mr Aksoy was one of three people struck by a car (above) outside the Supanova comic convention She said her colleagues had the same high opinion of him as she did.  'We all collectively wished we had one more moment with him. We will always cherish him not just as our co-worker, but as our friend.' Mr Aksoy's mother, who asked not to be named, said his family was struggling to cope with the loss, 'particularly given the circumstances in which it occurred'. 'His life was taken far too soon – there's no other way to describe it,' she said. Awer Dau, a 33-year-old learner driver from Yarraville, briefly appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court via videolink from Melbourne West Police station on Sunday evening. Dau was charged earlier on Sunday with dangerous driving causing death and culpable driving causing death. He did not apply for bail and will remain behind bars until his return to court on September 15. The court heard Dau was already on bail when he allegedly mounted a kerb to drive into the three men as they stood outside the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming event at the Melbourne Showgrounds, just after 5pm on Saturday. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said Dau was arrested at the scene by an off-duty police officer. Mr Aksoy (above) was described as 'smart, intelligent and so thoughtful' Awer Dau (right) was arrested at the scene and briefly faced court on Sunday 'For unknown reasons the car has travelled across the southbound lanes, up on to the footpath where it has impacted two young males in their 20s, who were walking in a group of three,' he said. Supanova is a convention about science fiction and fantasy TV shows, comic books, gaming and collectables.  Police urged anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam vision or has any information, to contact Crime Stoppers.  Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.