Bail denied for driver who allegedly hit Kiwi, stripped and ran

The case was heard at Melbourne Magistrates Court. Photo / Getty Images

A New Zealander was riding in a cycle lane and wearing high-vis gear when he was hit by a driver in West Footscray, Victoria, a court has been told.

Police allege Matthew Terrance O'Connor killed Peter McGuffie, 54, when the Holden Rodeo ute he was driving hit the cyclist from behind.

After the crash, O'Connor was photographed removing his clothing before he fled the scene.

Melbourne Magistrates Court heard yesterday McGuffie was wearing a fluorescent vest and kneepads and visibility and road conditions were good.

27 yr old man in the hands of detectives over alleged hit run which killed a cyclist in Footscray.@9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/eERWsP7A9n

— Alexis Daish (@LexiDaish) June 24, 2016

"It was one of those situations where one could ask 'how could you not see him'," prosecutor Sandra MacDougall told the court.

O'Connor, 27, was seen driving erratically before McGuffie was hit. A witness has said the vehicle was veering into the cycle lane.

O'Connor is charged with culpable driving causing death and the alternate dangerous driving causing death, as well as hit-run offences and breaching bail. He applied for bail on Wednesday but was remanded in custody.

Magistrate Franz Holzer said O'Connor was driving while his licence was suspended and had accrued 28 demerit points.