Distracted driver with 'atrocious' record avoids jail after mowing down pedestrians
A man with an "abysmal" driving record has been spared jail after running down two people at a pedestrian crossing while driving distracted.
Seven News has obtained confronting video of the moment Wesam Hmayden, 24, took his eyes off the road to play with his radio.
Deep in conversation, the pedestrians were distracted when they thought they were safe to cross the road in Miller, in southwest Sydney last November.
A second of inattention was all it took when Hmayden’s vehicle collided with them.
The driver was immediately overcome with panic once he realised what he'd done. Fortunately, his victims have made a full recovery.
“It was a moment of misjudgment," Lawyer Ahmed Dib told 7 News outside court on Tuesday.
"Unfortunately it's resulted in a tragic incident where two people were hit and collided with the vehicle.”
Far from an unblemished driving record, Hmayden racked up an astonishing 36 demerit points in his brief driving history.
He’s been convicted multiple times for speeding and using his mobile phone.
In court on Tuesday, Magistrate Shane McAnulty told him: “Your record is abysmal. It is atrocious!
“We've just been through the worst road toll at Christmas. If you hadn't heard, you've had your head in the sand,” he said.
The magistrate warned if Hmayden ever came before him again he would be sent to jail.
Mr Dib added: “It was traumatic for [Hmaydan] as well as the victims, and he's just happy and relieved that they weren't seriously injured.”
Hmaydan was placed on a three-year bond and lost his licence for 18 months.