Sales exec killed colleague when he ploughed BMW into 26-tonne truck in 100mph horror crash – but walks free from court

The Sun

07-07-2025

A SALES executive killed his colleague in a 100mph horror crash after ploughing his BMW into a 26-tonne truck.
Ivan Zailac, 24, was driving Stephanie Nye-Diroyan, 21, through Enfield, North London, when he lost control of the car.
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A fellow colleague at second hand car dealership Big Motoring World was Facetiming the pair when she heard Stephanie scream.
Zailac has now walked free after the court heard he suffers from amnesia after suffering a brain injury in the crash.
He had been ruled unfit to stand trial but a jury found he did cause Stephanie's death by dangerous driving.
Judge Sarah Munro KC passed a supervision order that means Zailac will be supervised by a nominated social worker and the Hillingdon mental health team for two years.
She said: "This is the only way your mental health can be restored in order for a decision to be made as to whether there are further legal consequences for you to face."
Prosecutor Frederick Hookway told the court that the Crown intends to put Zailac on trial if he recovers.
In a harrowing victim impact statement, Stephanie's mum Nicholle Diroyan sobbed as she paid tribute to her only child.
She told how her daughter was an "incredibly happy child" with an "inquisitive mind and thirst for learning".
Nicholle said: "Stephanie and I shared a special unbreakable bond, she was my best friend and our connection was based on mutual care and support.
"Stephanie was the best of us and the love she gave will never be forgotten. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.
"Over two years after losing her I am still fighting in court and I am still struggling to understand how the person responsible for her death has shown no remorse or taken any responsibility for his actions.
"The lack of accountability from those who caused the death and the pain from the injustice makes the loss even more unbearable.
"I have tried to do everything I can to pursue justice.
"No amount of time or legal proceedings will ever bring Stephanie back but I will keep fighting in the hope no other parent will ever have to face this dreadful loss without the accountability that is so desperately needed."
The court heard on October 23, 2022, Zailac was driving Stephanie in his dad's powerful BMW when the horror unfolded.
He had been speeding at around 98mph on a 40mph road when he lost control and drove into the path of an oncoming lorry.
Stephanie, who was sitting in the front of the car, tragically couldn't be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
Dr Jaleel Mohammed told the court Zailac had suffered a brain injury and amnesia that stopped him from remembering the crash.
He confirmed the amnesia was a neurological condition and not a psychiatric one.
Sentencing, Judge Munro said: "This court deals with many, many cases where lives have been taken at the hands of others but rarely do we deal with cases as tragic as this one.
"Stephanie's joyful life was snuffed out in an instant. Her mother will never recover from her grief and as a result of losing her beloved daughter her life will never be the same again.
"What's clear to me is that Stephanie lived life to the full. She had her whole life ahead of her and would undoubtedly have shone in her working and personal life.
"Perhaps the only comfort is from Stephanie making the most of every moment for her life, that she lived life to the full and had so many best nights of her life - but far too few."
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