Father of daughter killed in Oatlands crash dies after recent cancer diagnosis

“In our hearts, you will live on forever. You are now reunited with your baby girl Veronique and with mum and dad.” 

The dad of the 11-year-old girl who was tragically killed in the 2020 Oatlands crash has died after an aggressive cancer diagnosis. 

Bob Sakr revealed his diagnosis in June this year, which he had been fighting for over a year. 

Tributes have poured in for the Sakr family, who announced the news of his passing on social media. 

RELATED: Father of Oatlands crash victims reveals he is battling an aggressive cancer

Bob Sakr lost his daughter, Veronique, in the 2020 Oatlands car crash.

Tributes flow for father of Oatlands crash victim

Bob’s daughter Veronique, along with her cousins Sienna Abdallah, Angelina Abdallah, and Antony Abdallah, tragically lost their lives on February 1, 2020, when they were struck by a drunk and drugged driver in a ute while walking on a footpath in the western Sydney suburb.

Tributes are pouring in for the family, who laid Bob to rest on Thursday. 

“This moment is a celebration for Veronique Sakr, celebrating her dad's arrival into heaven, welcoming her dad into the kingdom of heaven, where happiness and joy never ends!” said Bob’s family on social media. 

Bob’s older brother, David, described it as the “saddest day of my life.” 

“In our hearts, you will live on forever. You are now reunited with your baby girl Veronique and with mum and dad,” he wrote. 

A family friend, Mary-Anne Maz wrote, “Condolences to all the family, especially his son Michael. Resting with his daughter Veronique.” 

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Bob Sakr kisses the coffin of his daughter Veronique Sakr, 11, during her funeral at the Santa Sabina College Chapel in Sydney, Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

Mother of crash victim said sentence reduction “unfair”

The ute driver responsible for the death of the four passengers, Samuel William Davidson, pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter and charges related to injuries sustained by three other children involved in the crash.

Davidson was driving recklessly and at high speed when his vehicle mounted a curb and struck the group of children.

Initially, he was sentenced in April 2021 to 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 21 years. However, in 2022, his sentence was reduced by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal to 20 years, with a non-parole period of 15 years, as they deemed the original sentence excessively harsh.

Davidson‘s subsequent appeal was denied this year, where he argued that he had received an unfair amount of jail time due to the improper application of sentencing principles.

Bridget Sakr, Veronique‘s mother, expressed her dissatisfaction with the 2022 sentence reduction, stating that it was “unfair.”

NSW District Court Judge convicted Davidson and sentenced him to a maximum 28 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 21 years.

An appeal against the sentence was launched and first heard in the NSW Criminal Court of Appeal on Monday.

The Parramatta Advertiser reports Davidson’s barrister Stephen Odgers SC told the court the sentence Davidson handed was excessive.

“I think that’s a crushing sentence, with all respect,” Mr Odgers said.

The court heard Davidson was of good character prior to the crash and had no criminal record.

Mr Odgers told the court Davidson’s time in custody would be more “onerous” because of his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The court heard he was diagnosed at the age of five and stopped taking medication when he was 26.

Crown prosecutor David Kell said Davidson’s sentence was not excessive and reflected the severity of the crime and danger he posed to other road users.

Originally published as Father of daughter killed in Oatlands crash dies after recent cancer diagnosis