73mph Dudley driver who killed pedestrian then ran away is locked up

Jordan Edwards was doing 73mph in a 30 zone when he lost control approaching the T-junction of Marriott Road and Cradley Road, Netherton, on November 7 last year, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The black Seat Ibiza with the 22-year-old at the wheel failed to make its intended right turn, hurtling across the main road and ploughing into Mr Gary Wroblewski, a tanker driver walking home from the pub.

The 53-year-old was killed almost immediately by the impact, the force of which flung one of his shoes 50 metres from the scene, revealed Mr David Bennett.

Edwards – who does not have a full driving licence but had several previous convictions for motoring offences – made no attempt to help the dying man and was today sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.

He and another person were seen on CCTV running away down Marriott Road with the ignition key seconds after the smash, leaving the Seat Ibiza embedded in a roadside billboard.

The DNA of Edwards was found on an airbag in the vehicle and on a cap discovered in a foot well. Traces of his blood had also been left on the inside of the windscreen, continued Mr Bennett.

The defendant – who owned the vehicle – remained on the run until finally giving himself up to police in Brierley Hill around four months later on February 22.

He admitted he had panicked and acted 'like a coward,' the court was told.

Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending, declared: "This was a short piece of bad driving at grossly excessive speed. He is mortified by what he has done."

Edwards from Terry Street, Dudley, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sent to prison by Judge Kristina Montgomery QC, who said: "Approaching the T junction at 73mph either you could not stop in time to look out into the junction or you had no intention of coming to a halt, taking the corner without stopping.

"You were still going at 18mph as the Seat veered across the entire facing carriageway killing Mr Wroblewski.

"You had to be traced and did not come forward until many months later when you realised the police were unlikely to cease their search for you.

"You presented yourself to them but initially blamed the condition of your vehicle for what happened. The only fault that night was with your driving."

Edwards was also banned from driving for six years and must pass an extended test before receiving a licence.

The brother and sister-in-law of Mr Wroblewski declined to comment after the case.