Road rage driver's victim 'terrified' to get back in the car
One of the victims of a man jailed for ‘outrageous’ road rage crimes in Melbourne has said she is terrified of a repeat incident every time she gets in her car.
In three attacks spanning as many days, Elton Gevergizyan, 28, targeted drivers on the Tullamarine and Hume Freeways, pushing one woman into a ditch after she got out of her car and hitting another victim with a baseball bat.
Elton Gevergizyan, 28, has been jailed over a string of road-rage attacks. 9news
Gevergizyan was visibly shocked today when he was sentenced in the Victoria County Court to three years and five months in prison with a non-parole period of two years and five months.
Schoolteacher Julie Dougherty attended court to see the truck driver sentenced, and said she’s still traumatised by the day she was the passenger in a car on the Tullamarine Freeway.
“I really think I was very lucky, I got a wonderful judge who was spot on,” Ms Dougherty said.
“I’ve got a little bit more faith in the legal system after today.”
Victim Julie Dougherty speaks to the media outside the County Court in Melbourne. AAP
Gevergizyan started tailgating the car driven by Ms Dougherty’s friend, Leigh Mahady, and deliberately rammed the vehicle while making threatening gestures, drawing his hand across his throat.
When the women pulled over to inspect the damage to their vehicle Gevergizyan stopped.
He got out of his truck and approached the women, pushing Ms Dougherty to the ground and stood over her while swinging a hammer.
"I thought I would die," Ms Dougherty said.
Gevergizyan was involved in another two incidents also occurring in May 2018, while on a court order.
In one incident he ran a female driver off the road, and in another bashed a man and his female passenger with a baseball bat.
Judge Sue Pullen said the offending was “serious” and “disturbing” and “nothing short of appalling”.
“Your offending involved shameful conduct, demonstrated a blatant disregard for other road users and terrified victims with your cowardly aggression.”
The offender pleaded guilty to 15 charges after being arrested following a 48-hour manhunt. 9news
Gevergizyan was arrested after a 48-hour manhunt and subsequently blamed his victims in a police interview before eventually pleading guilty to 15 charges.
The judge found the his guilty plea was less motivated by remorse and more about protecting the reputation of his family.
The court heard that Gevergizyan had a long history of driving offences, assault, property damage and was withdrawing from the drug ice.
“We just have to support him and he's very sorry about it and he cops it,” the offender’s uncle said outside court.
With time already served, Gevergizyan will be eligible for parole in just over 18 months.
His driver’s licence has been cancelled for five years.
With AAP
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