Man Sentenced For Fatal Hit And Run Crash In Eastbourne

A speeding driver killed a pedestrian at a zebra crossing then drove away and covered the damage to his vehicle.

Sharon Abraham reached an estimated 52mph in a 30mph zone driving in a Lexus in Upperton Road, Eastbourne.

He failed to stop for 75-year-old Andrew Forrest who was crossing the road.

After striking Mr Forrest, he drove away and did not report the collision to police.

The collision happened just hours after Abraham had passed his driving test.

He had previously held a driving licence abroad for nine years, and was then required to take a full UK driving test.

Tragically, Mr Forrest died as a result of his injuries.

Excess speed and anti-social driving are two of the main factors in why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

At Lewes Crown Court on April 25, Abraham appeared for sentencing after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

The 27-year-old, a student formerly of Compton Street, Eastbourne, was jailed for six years and was disqualified from driving for eight years.

The sentence would have been nine years in prison had the case gone to trial, but it was reduced because of Abraham’s early guilty plea.

Abraham will also have to take an extended re-test before he can drive again.

The court was told how the incident happened in Upperton Road, Eastbourne, at 7.45pm on July 26 last year.

It was raining, and was one hour before sunset.

Abraham, who was also carrying passengers in his vehicle, left the scene and did not report the accident.

The next morning he went to a shop to buy a cover for his vehicle which he had parked at the rear of his property.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit and Roads Policing Unit gathered evidence including CCTV evidence which showed the incident.

Abraham was traced and arrested 16 hours after the collision.

At interview he claimed he had not been speeding, and claimed he was sure the collision was not his fault.

Another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction had correctly stopped at the zebra crossing to allow Mr Forrest to cross.

Abraham also claimed he intended to hand himself in to the police.

His phone was seized, and it showed he had searched for “hit and run collision UK law” before deleting the history.

A collision report showed he was speeding, with estimates suggesting he was travelling at between 45mph and 52mph in a 30mph zone.

Had Abraham been travelling at the speed limit, the collision would not have happened.

Delivering the sentence, Her Honour Judge Christine Laing KC, said:

“You were driving at a speed which was highly inappropriate for the prevailing road and weather conditions.

“Secondly, you drove with a lack of attention for a substantial period of time and it was only in the last second or two that you braked.

“This case is aggravated by the fact that you only stopped momentarily before driving off. It must have been obvious at the very least there must have been terrible injuries, but your thoughts were of yourself and your car.”

Detective Inspector Kani Barawi, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:

“This was a complex case which involved a large number of police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to identify the vehicle and driver involved.

“This was followed up by my team of detectives and investigators who conducted a thorough investigation and established exactly what happened that day.

“This outcome is an example of hard work, determination, and good investigation to ensure that justice is served. No matter how someone may try and evade responsibility for their actions, we will find you, and you will face the consequences.

“Our thoughts are with Andrew’s family, who have acted with the utmost dignity throughout this ordeal.”

Speaking after the case, Mr Forrest’s family said:

“Andy (Andrew) was a much loved family member and it is hard to overstate the affect his sudden death has had on us all. Our children and their children loved Andy and he loved them.

"He was also very well known in the Eastbourne community through his art exhibitions and his involvement with the Towner gallery and was an active member of several societies.

“Nothing will bring him back. He could not say goodbye to those he loved. He was taken far too soon from our lives and we all miss him greatly.

"We are grateful to the witnesses who stopped and were with Andy in the moments after the collision and take comfort in knowing he wasn’t alone.”