A 29-year-old driver has been sentenced to nearly ten years in prison following a harrowing incident in which he struck an 89-year-old man, carried his body on the roof of his car for a mile, and then callously abandoned it. Albert Matraxhiu, hailing from Edgware in north London, received a sentence of nine years and ten months at Maidstone Crown Court, convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. The tragic event unfolded on December 29 of the previous year when Matraxhiu’s reckless driving led to the death of retired dental surgeon Thomas Wallace.
The Incident: A Reckless Act
The fatal collision occurred just after noon on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent. Witnesses reported seeing Matraxhiu’s grey Mercedes estate travelling at an estimated speed of 76.5 mph when it struck Mr Wallace, who was crossing the road. The impact was so severe that Mr Wallace’s body was propelled onto the car’s roof, where it remained for approximately a mile. It was only when Matraxhiu took a turn into a side lane that the victim was dislodged, with his body later discovered by a postman on Grange Road.
After the collision, Matraxhiu, accompanied by his friend Erald Paci, removed the vehicle’s number plates and fled to a remote area, attempting to dispose of the car. Remarkably, both men are Albanian nationals who had no valid insurance or driving licence at the time of the accident. Paci, aged 30, who was in the passenger seat during the incident, was also sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in perverting the course of justice.
Attempts to Evade Justice
In a bid to evade capture, Matraxhiu absconded to an address in Sheffield following the incident. However, Paci later contacted the police less than 12 hours after the crash, responding to a media appeal. Within a day of the accident, he provided law enforcement with details regarding their route and the location where they had discarded the number plates.
In court, both defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges earlier this year. During sentencing, Judge Julian Smith acknowledged Matraxhiu’s expressed remorse but did not shy away from highlighting the severity of his actions. “The fact he drove on with Mr Wallace on the roof of the car before abandoning his body and the car aggravates this offending,” he stated, underscoring the moral depravity of Matraxhiu’s decisions.
The Impact on the Victim’s Family
The court heard poignant victim impact statements from Mr Wallace’s family members, who painted a vivid picture of the man they had lost. His wife, Angela Wallace, expressed her profound grief, stating it was “impossible to believe he is not coming back.” She described the act of leaving her husband on the car roof as “cowardly and cruel,” emphasising that he did not deserve such a fate.
Mr Wallace’s children echoed her sentiments, expressing their deep disgust towards Matraxhiu and Paci for their failure to stop and assist their father. James Wallace articulated his feelings of anger towards the defendants, while Juliet Roma lamented that her father had been discarded as if he were “roadkill.” Peter Wallace, the youngest son, shared the emotional turmoil his family endured, stating that the incident left a lingering sense of unfairness that was difficult to shake.
Detective Inspector Zoe Wilczek of Kent Police remarked on the community’s shock at Matraxhiu’s “dangerous and amoral actions,” commending the sentence as a necessary step towards justice for the Wallace family. She noted that Mr Wallace was a well-respected and cherished member of his community, and she hoped the outcome would provide some solace to those mourning his loss.
Why it Matters
This case highlights the catastrophic consequences of reckless driving and the profound impact such actions can have on victims and their families. The tragic death of Thomas Wallace serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with holding a driving licence. As communities grapple with the repercussions of road traffic incidents, this case underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety laws and a collective commitment to fostering a culture of accountability among drivers. The emotional toll on families, as vividly illustrated by the Wallace family’s statements, serves as a call to action for society to prioritise safety and compassion on our roads.
