JAILED: Driver fled scene of A449 crash which killed pensioner
A driver who fled the scene of a crash that killed a 90-year-old man has been jailed.
Matthew Raybould, 27, of Buffrey Road, Dudley, was driving from work to his grandparents’ house on November 25 when he hit Frederick Dudley on Stourbridge Road, Wolverhampton.
The 90-year-old victim, of Bearnett Road, Wolverhampton, had been crossing the road with a shopping trolley after getting off a bus but had not been crossing at a designated point, Cannock Magistrates' Court heard.
It was heard that Raybould saw his windscreen crack and felt a bump but carried on driving through fear he had hit someone.
He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a collision on the A449 and was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.
Prosecutor Mr Kul Khaira said: “The defendant was in the process of over-taking a vehicle on the dual carriageway when he collided with the victim, who suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead later that day.
“The defendant left the scene but was seen by a colleague who had been driving behind him and later told police about what had happened. He gave no comment in police interview and it later transpired that after the collision he had gone down the pub and drank heavily.”
neighbours paid tribute to him, leaving flowers at the scene of the collision
Defending Raybould, Mr Jason Georgiou said: “His only problem was driving off. He did this because he was scared and panicked.”
Chief magistrate Andrew Nelson sentenced Raybould to 18 weeks in prison, banned him from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay £200 in court costs.
He said: “You made no effort to own up to what you had done wrong and gave a no comment police interview.”
