Tristan Craig Mourant pleads guilty to causing death by dangerous driving

A driver who was weaving in and out of traffic before he killed a mother in a fiery crash was told by two medical professionals he shouldn’t be driving.

A driver who was weaving in and out of traffic before he killed a mother in a crash added “insult to injury” to the grieving victim’s family after he delayed court proceedings in his “vain hope” to keep him out of jail, a court has heard.

Tristan Craig Mourant, 54, was told by two medical professionals he shouldn’t be driving before the 2022 crash that killed Sohalia Mohammadi, a 47-year-old mother-of-four, at Elizabeth.

The crash occurred on January 21, 2022, at the intersection of Main North Rd and Fletcher Rd when Mourant, who was driving a BMW, collided with a van just after 7pm.

The collision caused the van to crash into a nearby tree on the median strip before bursting into flames.

Tristan Craig Mourant seen outside Adelaide Magistrates Court after an earlier appearance. Photo: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Sohalia Mohammadi, an Afghan migrant, was on her way to a friend’s house with her husband, who was driving the van.

He managed to escape the vehicle and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries.

Mourant, who is in custody, pleaded guilty to causing death and serious harm by dangerous driving.

During sentencing submissions on Monday, the court heard Mourant was weaving in and out of traffic before the crash, with double strength bourbon and cola cans found in his car.

“Those who were overtaken by the defendant just before the incident said to themselves he’s going to kill someone or he’s going to cause an accident,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard Mourant was told by two different medical professionals prior to the crash he should not be driving due to his poor eyesight.

The prosecutor pushed for an immediate jail term, saying while there was a degree of contrition expressed at the crime, since then Mourant had only been “feeling sorry for himself”.

Aaron Fornarino, for Mourant, told the court his client finished work on the day of the incident before he purchased the alcohol and consumed two of the cans.

Mr Fornarino asked the court to consider a suspended or home detention sentence, saying Mourant’s eyesight problems might not get adequate care in custody.

Judge Michael Durrant said the request was a “vain hope”, noting the offending was “far too serious” and public confidence would be affected.

Mr Fornarino then asked for an adjournment to obtain an expert report about the current state of Mourant’s eye problems.

“I’m very grumpy about this Mr Fornarino, you’ve had lots of opportunities,” Judge Durrant replied.

The prosecutor agreed.

“Given the profound loss suffered as expressed in the victim impact statements it’s difficult to imagine how there could be insult added to injury but nonetheless here we are,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Durrant said it was “most regrettable”, particularly as the victim’s family were present in court, but granted the adjournment until later this month.

Outside court, the victim’s family said it was “very unfortunate” the case hadn’t finalised today.