Tristan Craig Mourant jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving of beloved mum Sohalia Mohammadi
The son of a woman killed in a horrific crash said their family would never be the same again, as a judge condemned the driver’s reckless and aggressive actions.
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The son of a woman who was killed in a fiery crash said they will never be the same again after they lost the “heart and soul” of their family.
The vision-impaired driver responsible, Tristan Craig Mourant, 54, was on Wednesday jailed for more than seven years over the 2022 crash that killed Sohalia Mohammadi at Elizabeth.
During sentencing on Wednesday, the District Court heard Mourant consumed three double-strength bourbons in a hotel carpark before driving on January 21, 2022.
“You were travelling faster than other cars, you tailgated other vehicles and changed lanes aggressively into small gaps,” Judge Michael Durrant said.
Mourant, who was driving a BMW, collided with a van at the intersection of Main North Rd and Fletcher Rd when he was changing lanes from the far left lane to the far right lane and collided with the van.
“The collision caused the van to veer off the road and on to the median strip, colliding with a light pole and then a gum tree,” Judge Durrant said.
“Following that impact the van then burst into flames.”
Ms Mohammadi, 47, tragically died at the scene, while her husband, who was driving the van, suffered serious injuries after he managed to escape the vehicle.
He was hospitalised, suffering severe swelling and bruising, chipped teeth and lacerations.
Mourant pleaded guilty to causing death and serious harm by dangerous driving.
In their victim impact statements, Ms Mohammadi’s husband spoke of his heartache and sadness of losing his wife and the ongoing nightmares he has.
“He spoke of his vain efforts to save his wife from the burning vehicle and of his regret that he did not also perish that day,” Judge Durrant said.
Ms Mohammadi’s son, Ali Reza, described how the loss of his mother had shattered their family beyond repair.
“He described his mother as the heart and soul of the family and the glue that held it together,” Judge Durrant said.
The court heard Mourant was told by two different medical professionals prior to the crash he should not be driving due to his poor eyesight.
However, Mourant renewed his driver’s licence in June 2021 despite being told the information months earlier.
The court heard Mourant ticked the box ‘no’ for the question asking whether he had a medical condition or disability that might impair his ability to drive safely.
Judge Durrant said no sentence could ever represent the life and the worth of Ms Mohammadi and the pain her family feels.
He sentenced Mourant to seven years and one month in jail, with a non-parole period of five years and eight months.
The sentence was backdated to March 19.
Mourant was also disqualified from driving for 20 years, with Judge Durrant telling him he didn’t think he should ever be allowed to drive again.
Outside court, Mr Reza told media their family would never be the same again.
“No amount of justice is going to bring our mother back but she will continue to live in our hearts, our minds, our memories,” he said.
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Originally published as Tristan Craig Mourant jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving of beloved mum Sohalia Mohammadi
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