In a harrowing incident that has shocked the community of Gillingham, Kent, a 29-year-old driver has been sentenced to nearly ten years in prison after colliding with an 89-year-old man, carrying his body on the roof of his car for a mile, and subsequently abandoning it. Albert Matraxhiu, originally from Edgware, London, was handed a sentence of nine years and ten months at Maidstone Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.
The Incident Unfolds
On December 29 of last year, shortly after noon, Matraxhiu struck Thomas Wallace, a retired dental surgeon, while speeding at an estimated 76.5 mph on the A289 Gads Hill. The impact was so severe that witnesses reported seeing Mr. Wallace thrown onto the roof of Matraxhiu’s grey Mercedes estate. Tragically, the elderly man’s body remained on the vehicle for approximately a mile before being dislodged when Matraxhiu turned into a side road. It was a postman on Grange Road who ultimately discovered Mr. Wallace’s body.
In the aftermath, Matraxhiu and his friend Erald Paci, who was a passenger in the car, drove to a remote area to dispose of the vehicle. They removed the license plates and discarded their clothing and mobile phones in a bid to evade the authorities. Matraxhiu was driving without insurance or a valid licence, further compounding the gravity of the situation.
Attempts to Evade Justice
Both Matraxhiu and Paci are Albanian nationals. Following the incident, Matraxhiu fled to a location in Sheffield while Paci contacted the police less than 12 hours later, spurred by a media appeal. He was interrogated within a day and voluntarily provided police with details of their route and the location where they had disposed of the license plates.
Paci, aged 30 and residing in Chatham, received a lesser sentence of 15 months for his role in perverting the course of justice. He was released shortly after the hearing due to the time he had already spent in remand.
Emotional Impact on the Family
During the sentencing, Judge Julian Smith acknowledged Matraxhiu’s expression of remorse but emphasised the severity of his actions, particularly the decision to drive with Mr. Wallace’s body on the roof before abandoning it. “The fact he drove on with Mr. Wallace on the roof of the car aggravates this offending,” the judge stated.
Angela Wallace, the victim’s wife of 64 years, delivered a poignant statement in court, expressing her disbelief that her husband would not return home. She described Matraxhiu’s actions as “cowardly and cruel,” underscoring the pain of losing a man who dedicated his life to helping others. “He did not deserve this end,” she said, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt by the family.
Statements from Mr. Wallace’s children further revealed the emotional devastation wrought by the incident. His son, James, articulated his “deep disgust” towards
