Mother's Vow for Justice After Driver Sentenced for Fatal Joyride Crash
A heartbroken mother has pledged to keep fighting for legal reforms after a driver was sentenced to a maximum of nine years in prison for a high-speed crash that claimed the lives of her two children. Johnson Kokozian, aged 23, was on a joyride with friends in his brand new Mercedes-Benz AMG SUV when the tragic incident occurred in Heckenberg, southwest Sydney, in 2023.
Details of the Tragic Collision
The suspended driver attempted to overtake another vehicle, crossing onto the wrong side of the road at double the 50km/h speed limit. This reckless manoeuvre resulted in a head-on collision with a car carrying siblings Alina Kauffman, 24, and Ernesto Salazar, 15, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. Shockingly, Kokozian failed to stop and render assistance to the victims, instead fleeing the scene.
His immediate concern appeared to be the financial loss from wrecking his uninsured luxury vehicle, reportedly complaining about losing $300,000. New South Wales District Court Judge David Arnott, during the sentencing on Wednesday, condemned this behaviour as 'an abandonment of moral responsibility'.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Judge Arnott highlighted that Kokozian had been more worried about monetary loss than the wellbeing of the other car's occupants, whom he rushed past while leaving. 'His failure to stop and assist can only be described as serious and callous,' the judge stated. 'There is no doubt that self-preservation and self-interest were key factors in his decision to flee the scene.'
Although Kokozian showed no remorse initially, the judge noted he now experiences 'overwhelming guilt'. Two manslaughter charges were withdrawn after he pleaded guilty to two counts each of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to assist after a fatal impact. He received a nine-year jail term with a non-parole period of five and a half years.
Mother's Emotional Response and Advocacy
Angelina Kauffman, the victims' mother, was overcome with emotion outside the courthouse. Wearing a jumper emblazoned with her children's photo, she expressed her anguish, stating through sobs, 'There is no justice. My kids' lives mean nothing to the court.' She described the possibility of Kokozian being released on parole in a few years as unjust, lamenting, 'This man gets to go out and live his life. My kids are in the ground.'
Despite her grief, Ms Kauffman vowed to continue pushing for change in her children's names, asserting, 'I'll never give up.' She has gathered over 20,000 signatures on a petition urging the NSW parliament to consider increasing maximum penalties for serious road crimes. However, a Law Reform Commission review in February 2025 concluded that current penalties are appropriate and that higher maximums would likely not deter offending more effectively. The review also determined against introducing a new vehicular manslaughter offence, deeming it unnecessary and potentially confusing.
Broader Legal Implications and Family Reactions
Ms Kauffman expressed shock at the sentence, calling it a 'joke' after enduring a lengthy legal process. The case has implicated others, including Kokozian's father, Kagadour Hanna Kokozian, 63, who pleaded guilty in 2025 to attempting to conceal the crash and hindering police by falsely reporting the car as stolen. His sentencing is pending.
Additionally, Cruz Pamoana Davis-Tuka, a passenger in the Mercedes, received a 15-month intensive corrections order in 2025 for his role in concealing the crash and hindering police. Kokozian's girlfriend, Tiana Savignano, 24, will contest similar charges this year after pleading not guilty. This complex web of legal proceedings underscores the ongoing impact of the tragedy on multiple families and the justice system.
