The mother of a teenage boy killed by a heroin addict who fell asleep behind the wheel has collapsed outside court, distraught after the driver was handed a seven-year jail sentence.
Adam Ghoz, 17, was walking to soccer practice on the afternoon of January 7, 2021 when a Kio Carnival crossed two lanes of traffic and ploughed into him on the Hume Highway at Casula in Sydney’s southwest.
The driver of the car, 38-year-old Cameron Forsyth, was high on heroin at the time after and claimed he used the drug after having a fight with his girlfriend because she said a family member wore provocative clothing and was going to “end up getting raped”.
He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated dangerous driving causing death while under the influence of drugs, despite initially lying to police about his heroin use.
Appearing in the NSW District Court for sentencing on Friday, Forsyth sat with his head bowed down as Adam’s parents, Abdul and Rima Ghoz, wiped tears from their eyes and waited to learn what punishment would be handed down.
Judge Ian McClintock SC said there was “no doubt” Forsyth had fallen asleep before the crash.
“He represented an appalling danger to the public, which unfortunately came to fruition,” Judge McClintock said.
“It’s clear he had no awareness of actually striking the victim.”
The court was told Forsyth had a history of drink and drug driving, and in September 2020, just four months before the fatal crash, he fell asleep behind the wheel and ploughed into another car while on drugs.
“He should have learnt his lesson in relation to driving … he clearly did not,” Judge McClintock said.
“It had catastrophic consequences for the family of the victim”.
A claim by Forsyth, that he got “stirred up” emotionally before the crash and was triggered by a memory of a traumatic childhood incident before the crash, was rejected.
“I have come to the view this is a post event rationalisation by the offender to explain the appalling nature of the events,” Judge McClintock said.
The court heard Forsyth was a functional drug addict at the time of the crash and while in custody after his arrest, he had completed drug recovery programs.
“I’ll never forgive myself,” Forsyth told the court previously.
“I’ve ruined someone else’s family. I hope that in time they can forgive me for their own inner peace.”
After Forsyth was handed a seven-year prison sentence, three-year non-parole period, Mr and Mrs Ghoz said they were crushed.
“I have a life sentence,” Mrs Ghoz said as she fell to the ground outside the Downing Centre court complex.
“I know the Judge did his best for us, it’s the law, but I was hoping for 10 years.”
A supporter who spoke on behalf of the family said “the justice system has let us down”.
Forsyth will be eligible for parole in April 2025.
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