Mother’s Fury as ‘Cowardly’ Father of Driver Behind Fatal Crash Is Exposed for ‘Despicable’ Attempted Cover-Up
- Angelina Kauffman’s children, Alina, 24, and Ernesto, 15, died in a high-speed crash caused by an unlicensed driver.
- The driver’s father, Kagadour Hanna Kokozian, 64, tried to cover up the incident by reporting the car stolen.
- Kokozian’s actions were driven by ‘cowardice and a lack of humanity’, according to the grieving mother.
- The case has sparked outrage over the failure of authorities to hold accountable those who aid and abet reckless drivers.
As the mother of two siblings killed in a devastating high-speed crash stood before the court, her eyes locked onto the father of the driver, her words cut deep.
Angelina Kauffman’s voice trembled with rage and grief as she condemned Kagadour Hanna Kokozian, 64, for his ‘despicable’ attempt to cover up the incident by reporting the car stolen.
The move was a desperate bid to shield his son, Johnson, from accountability for the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Alina, 24, and Ernesto, 15.
The incident occurred in September 2023, when Johnson Kokozian, 23, was taking his friends on a joyride in his brand new SUV. Despite being unlicensed and reckless, he had been handed the car keys by his father.
The vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the road at double the 50km/h speed limit, crashing head-on into the car containing the two siblings.
Johnson fled the scene without stopping to help.
Angelina Kauffman’s emotional victim impact statement exposed the depth of her pain and outrage.
‘I hope one day, when it is your time, that God shows you the truth of what you have done,’ she said, her gaze fixed on Kokozian Sr.
‘I do not believe there is a place in heaven or hell that can hold the weight of your actions.’ The 64-year-old bowed his head, staring at the floor, as the words washed over him.
Kokozian Sr’s actions have raised questions about the accountability of parents who enable reckless behavior in their children. ‘You did not just fail as a parent, you raised someone who became a danger to society,’ Angelina Kauffman said.
‘The difference between you and I, Kagadour Kokozian, is I can say with all my heart and soul that I’m proud of all my beautiful children.’
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The case highlights the need for greater scrutiny of parents who facilitate reckless behavior in their children. It also raises concerns about the effectiveness of current laws in holding accountable those who aid and abet drivers who cause fatal crashes.
Security analysts warn that the culture of recklessness on Australian roads can have devastating consequences, and that stronger measures are needed to prevent such tragedies.
Law enforcement insiders argue that the case demonstrates the importance of robust investigation and prosecution of those who attempt to cover up or conceal their involvement in fatal crashes.
Industry observers believe that the incident underscores the need for greater community engagement and education about road safety, particularly among young drivers.
Kokozian Sr has pleaded guilty to hindering a police investigation and concealing an indictable offence.
His defence team has submitted that he acted out of loyalty to his son, but the crown prosecutor has rejected this claim, arguing that he was capable of making considered decisions about his conduct.
The 64-year-old will learn his fate on May 14.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless behavior on Australian roads.
It also highlights the need for greater accountability and a more robust response to those who enable and cover up such behavior.
Road Safety Fatal Crashes NSW Police Australian Road Safety
