Crestmead’s Mariam Angelo Elnour, 24, sentenced for dangerous operation of a vehicle

A court has heard a highly thought of aged care nurse’s momentary carelessness at a red light nearly killed an innocent driver and caused injuries that have severely impacted a family.

A court has heard a woman struck so forcefully by the car of a highly thought of aged care nurse who ran a red light suffered injuries that “severely impacted” not only her life but that of her children and grandchildren.

Crestmead aged care nurse Mariam Angelo Elnour, 24, was supported by a psychologist when she appeared at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Elnour pleaded guilty to a single charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle.

The court heard Elnour had mistaken her gas pedal for her brake pedal on September 28, 2021 at the intersection of Chambers Flat Rd and Waratah Dr in Waterford West with tragic consequences.

Police arrived to find her Toyota Echo with severe frontal damage and a white vehicle with “damage all over”.

According to the prosecution, Elnour collided with the victim’s vehicle with such force that it rolled twice.

Its driver was too seriously injured to speak at the scene but provided a victim impact statement read out in part to the court: “The accident severely impacted my life, my children’s and my grandchildren’s lives,” the victim stated.

“Each day is a struggle for me to get out of bed and look at the positives.

“Every day I am in constant pain which has affected me and will continue to affect me socially, emotionally and mentally and physically.”

Crestmead’s Mariam Angelo Elnour, 24, leaves Beenleigh Magistrates Court. Picture: Marcel Baum.

Police prosecutor Zoe Melcham said Elnour told police in a subsequent interview that she “went to stop for a red light when her brakes did not work”.

“She told police that her brakes did nothing and only sped up her car,” Ms Melcham said.

The court heard a mechanical inspection of the defendant’s vehicle by a Qld Police forensic inspection unit found no defects.

“He (the Sergeant) was of the opinion that there were no defects that could have contributed to the cause of the accident,” Ms Melcham said.

Elnour fronted court with no criminal history and a single traffic offence of speeding on her record.

Defence solicitor Brittany Webb said the event was very much out of character for her client who had an otherwise sterling reputation in the community.

Multiple references attesting to her good character were tendered and accepted by the court.

Ms Webb said Elnour was deeply affected by the victim’s impact statement, had recently lost her father and was last year diagnosed with schizophrenia for which she seeks regular treatment.

Acting magistrate Deborah Turner confirmed the life-changing injuries suffered by the victim and acknowledged it was very much out of character for Elnour.

“I am satisfied that this accident is out of character for you and accept you are otherwise of exemplary character,” Ms Turner said.

“I accept that on a regular basis you make a very significant contribution, through your work, to your community.

“But also to the South Sudanese community.

“I note that you were co-operative with police.

“We are very fortunate today that the victim did not pass away as a result of the accident but sustained serious injury.”

Elnour was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for six months.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Crestmead’s Mariam Angelo Elnour, 24, sentenced for dangerous operation of a vehicle