Michael Barsi death: Jordan Kociski faces grieving family in court
The mum of a teenage boy, killed in a high-speed crash with his mate behind the wheel, has told a court she hadn’t come to terms with her son’s sudden death and still washes his clothes.
St George Shire Standard
Don't miss out on the headlines from St George Shire Standard. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The tragic impact of the loss of a teenage son killed in a horror crash in 2020 has been laid bare in court.
Michael Barsi, then 19, was killed on August 8, 2020, while in the passenger seat of a speeding car which ploughed into a telephone pole, killing him instantly.
“I thought I was the luckiest mother in the world when I looked at you,” Mr Barsi’s mother Nicki said in a victim impact statement at Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday.
“We still haven’t come to terms with the fact you’re gone.”
Jordan Kociski, 20, appeared in court to be sentenced for his role in the death of his close friend Mr Barsi. The Mortdale man had pleaded guilty in late 2021 to dangerous driving occasioning death after he lost control of his speeding car and smashed into a wall and pole on King Georges Rd, Hurstville in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Barsi’s father Michael watched on as his wife’s victim statement was read out.
“You (Michael) were maturing and taking responsibility for your future,” his mother’s statement said.
“On that night you said you wouldn’t be back late and there was nothing for me to worry about.
“But at 3am I woke up to slammings on our door.”
Mrs Barsi remembered the instant devastation on hearing the news.
“When I heard the news, I thought: ‘it’s okay, I can fix this,” she said.
“But then everyone was crying, your father had his head in his hands – it was an out of body experience.
“I then thought: ‘my family is falling apart’.”
Mr Barsi was pronounced dead at the scene after severe injuries to the head, neck and chest.
It’s been a two-year ordeal for the family, who have been left to pick up the pieces of losing a child.
“We still haven’t come to terms with Michael’s death,” Mr Barsi’s mother said in the statement.
“We still wake up at 3am each Saturday hyperventilating.
“I still wash your clothes and sheets, dust your room – it’s what keeps us sane.”
Mr Barsi was remembered by his mother as a “old soul on a young head”, who was “funny and had the best personality”.
“He was very caring – he was sensible, polite and well-mannered,” she said.
It would be Mr Barsi’s 21st birthday this month.
The court heard Kociski, who was behind the wheel of a Nissan 200SX when – while driving at 95 km/h in a 70km/h zone – lost control of the car and it spun out of control, smashing against a sandstone wall before ploughing into a telephone pole. The second impact smashed the passenger’s side, killing Mr Barsi.
Kociski fronted court in tears.
“I’m so sorry for what happened,” he said to Mr Barsi’s father.
“I wish it was me and not your son, but I can’t change it.
“Michael will always be in my head, forever.”
The prosecution alleged in court the accident was the result of competitive driving against an acquaintance of Kociski, citing CCTV and eyewitnesses which showed the car driving next to each other, fishtailing and overtaking each other multiple times.
This was rejected by Kociski’s legal team, who said there was no proof to indicate, beyond reasonable doubt, that there was any competitive driving, or that it led to the accident.
The sentence will be handed down next month.
‘It’s sideways’: Passion and pain at City v Country junior rugby
There were thrillers, comebacks, heartbreak and heroics as the young guns of rugby played with passion - and pain - in a memorable City v Country showdown. Stars and result wrap
Read more
$355m loss: NSW worst pokie hotspots
This is where NSW pokie players have lost more than $355 million in four months. Search and check our interactive table to see if it’s where you live and how your suburb compares.
Read more