Truck driver Charbel Boulos jailed after fatality at Flushcombe Rd-Great Western Highway Blacktown

On the night she should have been celebrating her 24th birthday, a reckless tip truck driver who just returned from hospital where his father died that day, inflicted injuries that caused her death.

Charles Boulos was sentenced to two years’ jail after a crash that caused fatal injuries to Helmia Saj. Picture: Justin Sanson

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On the night of August 13, 2018, Prospect carpenter Charbel Boulos was on his way home from hospital where his father died that day.

Moments later he was responsible for ending Helmia Saj’s life when he crashed into her car at Blacktown.

The Merrylands nursing graduate, who turned 24 on that fateful night, was rushed to Westmead Hospital after the truck Boulos was driving ploughed into the back of her hatchback at the intersection of Flushcombe Rd and the Great Western Highway.

Boulos, who was not licensed to be driving the tipper truck, crashed into her car after the traffic lights turned from green to amber about 7.15pm and caused Ms Saj to suffer critical head injuries.

Two days later, after undergoing a brain scan, her life support was switched off.

In a victim impact statement tendered to the court, Helmia‘s brother Mohamad Saj said his “caring, smart, funny and compassionate” sister’s death had left his family in pain and agony.

“We have become so immune to the feeling of unhappiness that we no longer know how to enjoy the things we used to,’’ he said.

Helmia Saj died in hospital two days after the crash.

“We spend our weekends at the cemetery, wishing this wasn’t a reality.

“The constant feelings of sadness anger and frustration truly has affected our everyday life.

“After the incident some of my family members began to experience sleeping difficulties.

“Our eating habits have reduced and we no longer enjoy spending time with family and friends. Personal relationships have also taken a toll.

“The psychological effects have left outside and beaten down. The constant headaches, lack of concentration and the ongoing trauma wants my family now and will continue to.”

Mr Saj said his sister dreamt of travelling.

“On behalf of my family, I think there is no time in the world that can be given that can make up for the damage that has been done,’’ he said.

“All we want is just a simple people to feel safe on our roads and to never feel the pain of losing someone by the hands of someone else.’’

At Parramatta District Court on Tuesday, Justice Justin Smith imposed a two-year sentence on Boulos with a non-parole period of 12 months.

He was disqualified from driving for two years.

Justice Smith said Boulos wrote, whose occupation is listed as a carpenter but also owned an excavation company, had a poor driving record which, before the Blacktown crash, listed a low-range drink driving incident in 2012.

Justice Smith said the illness of Boulos’ father led to his son’s depression.

“In a month leading up to the offence the offender suffered poor concentration and decision making,’’ he said.

He also said Boulos, who was granted bail since the incident, wrote to the court to express remorse but deemed a custodial sentence necessary.

“I accept this is a genuine form of his remorse … however, people must recognise that care must be exercised on the roads,’’ he said.

“In my view only a custodial sentence of full time custody will address retribution … as well as deterrence to the offender.’’