Mohammad Saleh, Merrylands West crash: Man charged over fatal collision was allegedly street racing
A man accused of killing 22-year-old Claire Georgey after his sports car crashed into her station wagon on a western Sydney highway was allegedly street racing while on bail for another driving offence.
Parramatta
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A man accused of killing 22-year-old Claire Georgey was allegedly street racing another car 45km/h over the speed limit and was on bail for another traffic offence when he ploughed into the “ray of light” at Merrylands West on September 7.
Guildford man Mohammad Abdulmunim Saleh, 32, was charged with seven offences including aggravated driving occasioning death and promoting a race, following the crash at the Bruce St intersection on September 7 at 10.30pm when his Nissan Skyline sports car hit Miss Georgey’s Subaru wagon.
Saleh’s passenger, 32-year-old Aaron Pritchard, was rushed to hospital suffering internal injuries.
Another person whom Saleh was allegedly racing in his Nissan Skyline sports car has not yet been charged.
Miss Georgey, a former Merrylands West High School student, died in hospital on September 14, after fighting for her life for a week.
Saleh — who could face up to 14 years in jail for seven offences — was charged on September 30, the same day he was discharged from Westmead Hospital where he was receiving treatment for internal injuries.
CLAIRE’S OMINOUS MESSAGE DAYS BEFORE HER DEATH
He was taken to Parramatta police station and charged with aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – speed more than 45 over limit, aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – more than 45 km/h over limit, dangerous driving occasioning death – drive speed dangerous, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive speed dangerous, organise, promote race between vehicle, negligent driving (occasioning death), and negligent driving (occasioning grievous bodily harm).
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court to again via video on Friday when a bail application was made.
Saleh’s barrister Michael Valentin told the court bail would allow Saleh to continue easily accessible medical treatment, including surgery, at Westmead Hospital, and psychiatric consultations to treat his post traumatic stress disorder after the collision.
Saleh’s mother and sister, a registered nurse, sat in court and cried as he appeared on screen, mostly with his head downcast.
At one point, his body shook as he waited the outcome.
Police prosecutor Rick Romanous told the court Saleh had a lengthy history of driving offences and was on bail for a traffic offence when the crash occurred.
He said he posed an unacceptable risk and would endanger the community’s safety following the incident which involved witnesses observing him “driving along the Cumberland Highway erratically and slowing down’’.
Magistrate Tim Keady granted bail after believing the risk of offending could be mitigated with strict conditions ahead of a sentence that would be full time imprisonment.
“As serious as the matter is, and as serious as the consequences were to those who suffered as a consequence for the collision, withholding bail is not intended to be a form of punishment,’’ he said.
Under Saleh’s bail conditions he cannot associate with the other driver, drive a vehicle, leave his mother’s home at Guildford unless it is for medical appointments and must report to Merrylands police station twice a week and stick to a curfew.
The matter will return to Parramatta Local Court on November 26, a day before what would have been Miss Georgey’s 23rd birthday.
Her death prompted an outpouring of grief on social media including from a friend who loved her radiance.
“Why this crazy world had to lose a beautiful ray of light,’’ one friend posted.
“Gone too soon precious Angel Claire. Love you forever Claire such a bright, beaming light.’’