Hundreds of bunches of flowers were laid in Bourke Street in the wake of the tragedy. Credit:Chris Hopkins Mr Gargasoulas has been charged with six counts of murder and 27 of attempted murder. A coronial inquest will independently investigate Victoria Police's response on January 20, and the events that led up to the tragedy. The probe was due to run independently of the criminal investigation, but counsel assisting the coroner, Mandy Fox QC, said it was not possible for the inquest to proceed without compromising Mr Gargasoulas' right to a fair trial. Ms Fox said there was a fundamental public interest in ensuring the criminal trial was not compromised by the inquiry.

Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas allegedly did donuts outside Flinders Street Station in front of "scores of people", the hearing was told. Credit:Facebook/Urban Desi State Coroner Sara Hinchey postponed the inquest until the criminal case had been dealt with. . The lawyer representing the families of Zachary Bryant and Jess Mudie, Naty Guerrero-Diaz, said the inquiry would not begin until the "later part" of 2018. "Both families hope that the inquest will prevent anything similar ever happening again," she said. Ms Fox said the inquest would investigate how much police knew about Mr Gargasoulas' conduct before the tragedy, and what interaction they had with him.

She said it would investigate why Mr Gargasoulas was released on bail one week before the tragedy, and whether police adhered to pursuit guidelines. Police radio communications that day will also be examined. Ms Fox said the inquests' scope may be widened, depending on the results of a coronial brief, which was still being prepared. During the hearing, she outlined the events leading up to the Bourke Street tragedy. She described the moment Mr Gargasoulas allegedly did doughnuts in the car outside Flinders Street Station, in front of scores of people. Ms Fox said he then allegedly drove into Bourke Street Mall during the busy lunchtime rush, under shop-front awnings, and injured several pedestrians before the first fatality happened. "Yosuke Kanno was struck as he was walking near the Royal Arcade," she said.

"He was a 25-year-old Japanese student, who was studying in Australia. He died at the scene." She alleged he then drove up the Bourke Street footpath towards Williams Street, where along the way, the five other fatalities occurred. Mr Gargasoulas is due to face court again on August 1, while a criminal brief of evidence is due to be served to his lawyers in October. "The criminal proceedings will not be finalised for some considerable time," Ms Fox said. The inquiry was adjourned by the coroner for a "date to be determined".