Tommy Balla sentenced in court for killing policeman Aaron Vidal at Rouse Hill

Two tortured families descended on a courtroom for the gut-wrenching sentencing of a man who ran a red light and killed policeman Aaron Vidal in Sydney’s northwest.

As a veteran policeman, David Vidal has witnessed countless collisions but nothing prepared him for the horror of arriving at the crash scene that killed his son, best mate and ‘hero’ Aaron at Rouse Hill almost a year ago.

Tommy Balla, 38, was taking a call using his Mitsubishi Triton ute’s hands-free Bluetooth system when he ran the red light at the intersection of Schofields and Windsor roads, colliding with Constable Vidal’s Triumph motorbike on June 18 at 6.15pm.

Tommy Balla leaves Parramatta District Court at a previous sentence hearing.

Constable Vidal was on the way home to Bligh Park after his shift at the Day Street police station where he worked with his father for the Sydney Central Police Area Command.

Balla pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death.

On Friday, a tormented Balla’s body shook violently for much of the proceedings at Parramatta District Court with an outpouring of grief from the Vidal and Balla families.

Constable Aaron Vidal was returning home after completing duties at the Day Street Station in Sydney.

Constable Aaron Vidal was engaged to Jessica Loh.

During victim impact statements from some of Constable Vidal’s five siblings and his parents, the court heard how his death devastated the tight-knit family and robbed them of their “adventurous, vibrant, outlandish hero” who was a dedicated son and fiance.

Chief Inspector Vidal wept as he paid tribute to his son.

“I should be writing the speech for my son’s wedding, not his eulogy and victim impact statement,’’ he said.

“Grief envelopes me every day.

“We spoke every day and Aaron became my best friend as well as son.”

Despite three decades in the police force he said nothing could prepare him for witnessing his son’s dead body at the crash scene.

“To receive a phone call my son had been killed is a memory burned into my head that will haunt me time and time again,” he said.

“I will live with the image of my son laying in the morgue. That image of Aaron laying on the table with his life and soul squeezed out of him plays in my head over and over again.

"Even seeing a father and son walking down the street tears me apart.’’

Etzio Vidal was born in January, six months after the death of the father he never met.

After a stint in the army, Constable Vidal achieved his dream and joined the NSW Police Force.

“What he lacked in size he made up in heart and determination,” Chief Inspector Vidal said.

“I’m sure he would have made police commissioner one day. He had so much skill to give.’’

His fiancee Jessica  Loh said she was preparing chicken soup after Aaron sent a text message at 4.44pm saying he had finished work early.

“Got out early babe, jumping on the bike, see you soon,’’ Ms Loh told the court.

“He never showed.’’ She ran to a policeman at the crash scene desperately seeking reassurance that her “vibrant and outlandish’’ partner, who she met at a police entrance exam, had survived.

“I felt numb and sickened,’’ she said.

“I was 12 weeks pregnant with my baby. I started thinking that I would lose our baby next.’’

When she found out their baby would be a boy on the day of the viewing, she raced back to the funeral home, held his hand and told him they were expecting a son.

Etzio was born on January 2.

“My life without Aaron is excruciating,’’ Ms Loh said.

“With each exciting milestone, there’s a reminder of what’s missing. Our son rolled over for the first time the other week but the first person I wanted to share that with, my beloved Aaron, was not there.’’

One of Constable Vidal’s younger sisters, Sophie, said her and her brother were often mistaken for twins despite being three years apart.

“We were both crazy, adventurous, outgoing and loved being the centre of attention,’’ she said.

“He and I used to joke about how our family and other siblings were our only friends. After the Vidal family spoke, Balla apologised to the family over the tragedy.

“I do not ask or expect forgiveness as I never forgave myself,’’ he said.

“I think about you every day, every moment of every day. It does not stop and I will live with this for the rest of my life. I’m truly sorry.’’

He told himself he was disgusted with himself and he became a prisoner in his own home and was not the “gangster rapper’’ in which he was originally portrayed by some media outlets.

“I’m a caring, loving family man, father of two with good morals and I genuinely care about everyone and wouldn’t try to hurt anyone I cross paths with,’’ he said.

“I help strangers and that’s not the picture that was painted of me.’’

Footage leading up to the fatality was also played to the courtroom and Balla, of The Ponds, refused to look at the point of the crash. 

Defence barrister Rose Khalilzadeh said Mr Balla was a hard-working family man and called for a home detention.

“He’s a remorseful and insightful person,’’ she said.

Judge Stephen Hanley reserved his judgment for June 22.

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