Albanian pair ‘eliminated and dumped quantity plates’ of automobile concerned in a crash which left a person useless, court docket hears
Two Albanian men ‘removed and dumped number plates’ of a car involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed an 89-year-old man, a court has heard.
Thomas Wallace was struck by a grey Mercedes estate car on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent, just after 12pm on Monday.
His body was then carried on the roof of the car and was later found on the ground more than a mile away from the crash, according to Kent Police.
A postman and a nearby resident came to his aid, but the ambulance pronounced Mr Wallace dead at the scene.
The car was located nearby and the two occupants fled on foot, police added.
Albert Matraxhiu, 28, of Edgware, north London, has been charged with death by dangerous driving, intention to pervert the course of justice, driving with no insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, failure to stop after an accident, and failure to report an accident.
Erald Paci, 29, of Chatham, Kent, has been charged with intention to pervert the course of justice.
Both defendants have been remanded in custody and they are due to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on January 30.
Emergency services rushed to the incident on the A289 Gads Hill at around 12.10pm as paramedics treated the man at the scene, who was later pronouced dead
Pictured: Police cordoned off the junction in Gillingham following the fatal collision
The two men have pending immigration status – Paci has previously been deported from the UK and has been awaiting a decision from the Home Office while Matraxhiu is subject to failed immigration status, which would likely result in deportation if he is found guilty.
Emergency services rushed to the incident at around 12.10pm as paramedics treated the man at the scene. However, he was later pronounced dead.
The incident sparked a major emergency services response with more than 20 police, fire and ambulance vehicles sent to the scene, as well as the air ambulance and police helicopter.
Resident Ralph Belmonte said the man was found by a postman outside his home, more than a mile away from the collision.
‘The air ambulance landed in the field nearby, and they had drones and police dogs searching,’ Mr Belmonte said.
‘This lane has always been isolated, and there has been some incidents, but nothing to this scale.
‘The police and ambulance crews were so quick. There were around 20 cars here. The emergency response was well coordinated.’
A resident of Gads Hill, close to where the man was hit, said the roads were closed off until 6pm on the day of the incident.She added: ‘They were cordoned off for hours. I was driving home and saw they had shut the carriageway on the other side. It is horrendous.’
