Mother’s Agony as ‘Selfish’ Driver Who Killed Her Two Kids in High-Speed Crash Gets Just 9 Years’ Jail
- A mother’s heartbreak as the driver who killed her two children in a reckless joyride is sentenced to just 9 years in prison
- The 23-year-old driver’s callous actions after the crash left the mother ‘ripped apart’ as she demands harsher penalties for road crimes
- The case has sparked outrage and calls for reform, with the mother vowing to continue fighting for change in her children’s names
The grief-stricken mother of two children killed in a horrific high-speed crash has spoken out after the driver responsible was sentenced to just 9 years in prison.
Angelina Kaufman’s world was shattered when Johnson Kokozian, 23, crashed his brand new SUV into a car carrying her children, Alina, 24, and Ernesto, 15, in southwest Sydney in 2023.
The siblings were pronounced dead at the scene, while Kokozian fled, more concerned about the damage to his luxury vehicle than the lives he had just taken.
Kokozian’s actions were described by NSW District Court Judge David Arnott as an “abandonment of moral responsibility”. The judge found that the driver’s failure to stop and assist the victims was “serious and callous”, driven by self-preservation and self-interest.
Despite showing no remorse initially, Kokozian now claims to experience “overwhelming guilt”.
The mother’s anguish was palpable as she exited the courthouse, overcome with emotion. “There is no justice,” she sobbed.
“My kids’ lives mean nothing to the court.” Kaufman has been a vocal advocate for justice for her children throughout the lengthy legal process, wearing a jumper emblazoned with their photo to court.
Her pain was compounded by the fact that Kokozian could be released on parole in just three years.
“This man gets to go out and live his life,” Kaufman said.
“My kids are in the ground.” Despite feeling as if her soul had been ripped out for a second time, the grieving mother vowed to continue pushing for change in her children’s names.
“I’ll never give up,” she pledged.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The case has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the adequacy of penalties for serious road crimes in Australia.
Kaufman’s petition calling for harsher penalties has garnered over 20,000 signatures, but a Law Reform Commission review in 2025 found that current penalties were sufficient and higher maximum penalties were unlikely to deter offending.
However, security analysts say that the lenient sentence in this case may embolden reckless drivers and undermine public trust in the justice system.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the case highlights the need for tougher laws and more effective deterrents to combat the growing problem of dangerous driving in Australia.
Meanwhile, community leaders are calling for greater investment in road safety initiatives and education programs to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As Kaufman continues her fight for justice, her case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the need for urgent action to protect Australian lives on our roads.
