Mohsen Sleiman: P-plater sentenced for horrific crash that killed best friend

A dangerous joy ride in the Royal National Park that ultimately cost the life of a young man has resulted in the P-plate driver being sent to jail.

A young man responsible for the death of his best friend on ANZAC Day two years ago was sent to prison in Wollongong District Court on Friday.

Mohsen Sleiman, 21, was sentenced by Judge Andrew Haesler to three years and six months behind bars, with a non-parole period of two years, for his role in a high-speed crash that killed Emrah Nokic in the Royal National Park near Helensburgh on the afternoon of April 25, 2020.

Mr Nokic was in the passenger seat as his best friend flew around the narrow Lady Wakehurst Drive in his blue Nissan 200SX, which the red P-plater was not permitted to drive.

The Fairfield man lost control of the vehicle when approaching a 40km/h corner and collided with a tree at a speed of nearly 100km/h.

Sleiman checked on the state of Mr Nokic who “appeared to be deceased” before taking footage of the incident, posting it on social media and calling a friend.

A screenshot from a video Mohsen Sleiman shot of the scene moments after the crash.

It wasn’t until 10 minutes later that a passer-by contacted emergency services who arrived at the crash shortly after.

The then 19-year-old Sleiman was taken to St George Hospital with minor injuries, however, Mr Nokic was pronounced dead on the scene.

Sleiman was charged with aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact caused death.

The court heard a witness impact statement from Mr Nokic’s father, Mensur, who has suffered from complex bereavement disorder and depression since the loss of his son.

“My heart will forever be broken,” he wrote.

“I am not the same person. Emrah was not only my son, but he was also my best friend.

“When I saw him for the final time I was in total disbelief at the state of his body.

“[To Sleiman] I have no words. No apology was made or given. I was disgusted to find out he didn’t contact emergency services given the state he was in.”

Mohsen Sleiman (right) with his lawyer Roland Bonnici outside Wollongong Courthouse on Friday. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Sleiman trembled in the dock as Judge Haesler handed down his sentence which declared he was “morally culpable” for Mr Nokic’s death.

“[Sleiman’s] failure to call emergency services was unlikely to have caused his death, but that was not Sleiman’s decision to make,” the judge said.

“His shock and confusion can mitigate, but it cannot excuse his conduct.

“It appears Sleiman does not understand the gravity of his crime… No life can be equated to a prison sentence. Time in jail cannot bring back a loved one.”

Sleiman will be eligible for parole on May 12, 2024 from which point his license will be suspended for three years.