The alleged driver of a car involved in a crash that killed a 24-year-old woman and her teenage brother in south-western Sydney on Friday night will remain behind bars after he was refused bail.
Johnson Kokozian, 20, was charged on Saturday with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, two counts of failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death, negligent driving occasioning death, and driving a vehicle during a disqualification period.
Alina Angel Kauffman and Ernesto Salazar died on Friday night after a Mercedes collided with their Toyota Echo.
Alina Angel Kauffman, 24, and her brother Ernesto Salazar, 15, died on Friday when their Toyota Echo was involved in a head-on crash at about 9.20pm with a black Mercedes on Sadleir Avenue in Heckenberg near Liverpool.
Kokozian, dressed in prison greens, appeared in Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Sunday and was refused bail.
His barrister, Ertunc Ozen, SC, told the court there was no reliable evidence Kokozian was the driver of the Mercedes.
But Magistrate Robert Rabbidge said it appeared Kokozian was the driver, and the court heard that numerous witnesses would allege he was behind the wheel. Rabbidge said it appeared the prosecution had an “overwhelming case”.
“People are justifiably appalled when innocent young people are killed on the road in a such a horrific way,” Rabbidge said.
The court heard police attended Kokozian’s father’s address after the crash because he was the registered owner of the Mercedes, and at 10.35pm his father had allegedly reported the car stolen between 4pm and 10pm.
The matter returns to Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday.
Paramedics tried to save the brother and sister on Friday night, but they died at the scene. Alina had picked up her brother Ernesto from work shortly before the crash.
Speaking on Saturday, the siblings’ mother, Angelina Kauffman, sobbed as she said her children were “beautiful” and had wanted to help people.
“Now my son is gone and my daughter, she’s gone,” she said.
CCTV from a nearby home allegedly showed the Mercedes speeding along a quiet suburban street before a loud crash could be heard.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Anthony Boyd said on Saturday that “the evidence at this stage suggests the Mercedes has crossed to the incorrect side of the road, attempting to overtake a car in front of it, and has collided head-on with the Toyota [Echo].”
“From the footage I’ve seen, it is very high speed but I’m unable to speculate as to exactly what that speed was.”
with Megan Gorrey, Catherine Naylor and Georgina Mitchell
Most Viewed in National
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbWguY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL25zdy9hbGxlZ2VkLWRyaXZlci1yZWZ1c2VkLWJhaWwtYWZ0ZXItc2libGluZ3Mta2lsbGVkLWluLXNvdXRoLXdlc3Qtc3lkbmV5LWNyYXNoLTIwMjMwOTAzLXA1ZTFtay5odG1s0gEA?oc=5
2023-09-03 06:41:58Z
2376878287
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Alleged driver refused bail after siblings killed in south-west Sydney crash - Sydney Morning Herald"
Post a Comment